My favourite cockerel has a tiny underbite. It doesn’t seem to bother him. I can only keep one of my cockerels, and am planning to use him for breeding. I don’t know whether to cull him and keep one of the others, or if it’s “safe” to keep him. Is it likely that my future chicks get an underbite too if I keep him? Is it purely aesthetical, or could it be a sign of a more serious condition?
Favorite cockerel has tiny underbite - cull or keep?
- Thread starter Ylva
- Start date
Misaligned beak problems tend to increase in severity as the bird ages, and I believe there is a strong genetic component. I would not recommend keeping him as a breeder.
BelovedBirds
Crossing the Road
He's a handsome boy! I'm no expert, but I expect it's simply a quirky defect, I don't imagine it would be due to something more serious. If he can eat and drink without issue, I would keep him personally. You mentioned it's your favourite so I assume he has a good temperament, and you'd prefer to keep?
As for whether it's possible for something like this to pass down or cause issues with offspring, I dont know, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable comes along to advise whether it could or not. Is there no way you could keep him and breed another?
T-R-O-U-B-L-E
I GOT DUCCLES
- Jan 17, 2022
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I would not breed him. It very well could pass on to offspring. I see an opportunity for a house chicken lol.
BelovedBirds
Crossing the Road
I second this, lol
Count on it!
After hatching close to a thousand chicks.. more things are blamed on incubation parameters than the truth about genetics. Genetics always matter.
There is nothing aesthetic about the beak misalignment.. it's about function.. misalignment *can* cause issues with eating and drinking AND preening.
I agree with the first poster, things get worse with age.
Thing about breeding.. if it's with intent.. often it means not keeping your "favorite". It's to me THE hardest choice. But it makes room for the next favorite.. And if you're lucky before long you will come up with one that has ALL the attributes you're looking for..
My first very "favorite lap cockerel" turned out to be the biggest bastard ever.. I was so nice to him, I was shocked, I thought he trusted me. I no longer make lap boys and I haven't been attacked like that since. Now they're handled by MY will instead of at their own convenience (not with any dominance intent, just clear communication).. Confidence in chickens is seen as friendliness when what it actually is is fearlessness.. not all fear is created equal.. healthy fear equals respect. I STILL expect ALL good boys and know that every single one is an individual. So please don't take my sharing as any sort of fear mongering.
I see opportunity.. for chicken dinner.
Understand please that I mean NO rudeness but speak point blankly with tons of compassion (+chicken incubating/rearing/breeding experience) but also understanding of life as a whole... and noting that you are specifically asking about culling.. that's what I would do.. IF my other choices were better.
- Aug 26, 2019
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Agreed.
Coops Dad
Crowing
It's most likely a genetic defect. If you weren't relying on him as breed stock, I'd have voted to keep him. Since his progeny will carry that genetic info (might not be manifested in every chick BUT it will be lurking there), I'd cull him before he starts to breed.
I agree with the others.
I am only starting as a breeder, but I intend to cull all deformities rather than breed them or even sell them as pets.
IMO, the first goal of animal breeding should always be health above all else.
I am only starting as a breeder, but I intend to cull all deformities rather than breed them or even sell them as pets.
IMO, the first goal of animal breeding should always be health above all else.
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