gold laced silkies?(UPDATED PICS PG4+9, plus pics of new 2nd hatch ??)

[teresa-78]

Hiya everyone...

I have a concern with one of the chicks

I noticed yesterday that the 2nd chick that hatched, beak is not inline

The chicks beak was not like this for the 1st day... I really dont want it to be cross beak

Is there anything I can do for the little one?? or will it not/get any worse??

Thanks in advance for anyones input

 

[justmeandtheflock]

In my limited experience it will get worse

If you don't want to care for a cross beak then it is probably best to cull quickly. I'm sorry.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Be sure to check inside~~look inside the upper and lower beak to make sure a crumble of food isn't stuck....that can cause misallignment

 

[reesepoultry]

They look like partridge silkies to me.

 

[teresa-78]

I have checked the beak, and cannot see anything stuck in there, but it is hard doing it by yourself, will as my partner to help me when he is home from work...
I dont think I could cull it, im such a wimp.. would it live a good life if I left it be???, and obviously would not be mixed with my breeding stock.

I am so upset about this, it seemed perfect until last night

 

[sharol]

Newbie question here,

so does crossbeak show up later after the chick is hatched?

 

[jjhuntsalot]

reesepoultry
Today 8:45 am They look like partridge silkies to me.


I agree they look like my partridge silkies too.

 

[jjhuntsalot]

Does your chick have the extra toes like the regular silkie.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

There are others on BYC with cross beak chickens. It can be done. I think it can involve trimming the beak. I'd do a search to see what you can find out. They are both just beautiful, regardless. Congratulations on your hatch of some of the cutest little ones I've seen in some time! <3

 

[AinaWGSD]

If it is a cross beak and not the result of something stuck in the beak, it will only get worse. I'm new to chickens, but one of my EE chicks developed a cross beak at about 5 days. When I first noticed it, it was almost exactly like yours. From what I understand, cross beaks usually don't start to show until about 6 weeks or later, and when they do pop up earlier than that they usually are pretty severe. Since I just got chickens for a few eggs and sort of pets, we are letting our girl go. We keep an eye on her, make sure that there is always food available and that it is deep enough that she can scoop it up, and we'll just see how it goes. If it gets bad enough to where she can't eat or drink on her own, then we will put her down. But until then I see no reason to end her life just because of this deformity (she's not going to be bred and if she can manage to eat and drink it won't affect her ability to lay eggs). I've known parrots who were missing an entire lower or upper beak who lived quite happy lives once they figured out how to eat with the beak. So, if a cross beak can learn how to eat and drink with their wonky beak then they can do just as well as any other chicken.