crossed beak....

[mahen8622]

Hey i accidentally bought a hen at an auction shes cross beaked is this going to correct itself ever is she like that forever? and if she has eggs will the crossed beak be passed down to her offspring...or should i get rid of her at the auction next wed....

 

[Pullet Pimp]

I have a crossbeak too. She will always be crossbeaked. I've seen some people use rubber bands on the beak for a couple hours a day to help bring them together better but she will never be "normal".

You should also not breed her because it can be passed on. It's up to you whether to get rid of her or not, but lots of us have crossbeaks that live out a somewhat normal life and produce lots of eggs for eating. Just make sure she has a deep dish for food and water so she can scoop the food and water with the bottom beak like a shovel.

 

[MoodyChicken]

If she's young and if the cross is minimal it may very slowly correct itself over time. I think crossbeak is a recessive trait, but it should be bred with caution as it can easily become a lethal gene if left unchecked.

 

[mahen8622]

she isnt that young so i think shes got eating in check... i dunno i dnt want this passed down and my hens all lay together so i would have no way to tell which eggs are hers i htink itd be safer for me to get rid of her but shes so nice and calm! aww my heart says keeper but thena tiny part of my heart and brains say no sell her.... dang it

 

[maymiegirl]

This I find interesting...McMurray Hatchery sent me a crossbeaked silkie. She was just fine.

 

[maymiegirl]

Hey I found some really good readings. You don't have to get rid of her if it is the top of the beak that is elongated and twisted. As long as you keep an eye on her and give the offspring a good source of calcium and magnesium you should be ok. I will add the link I found that was published on Polish chickens. I think you can get a great deal of benefit from this. My bird got better as it got older--probably because I spoiled it and gave it all kinds of good stuf--including red palm oil. Here...check this out and see if it helps put your mind at ease.

http://groups.msn.com/polishChickens/crookedbeak.msnw

 

[MoodyChicken]

Quote:
You'd probably be safe to keep her. Just introduce new blood every couple of generations to prevent inbreeding and the recessive trait will be bred out. It's really not that big a deal, and it can be corrected on young chicks. So if you like her, I'd say she's worth hanging on to.