Hooked AND scissored beak

[Kataloo]

After the advice I received here and at the Feed Store, I decided that this chicken's situation would be more than I can handle. She was culled yesterday.

I learned some things from both of you that responded to my posting and from this experience. Thanks a lot. She was one of two EEs. I think the other one might be a rooster. If so, he will have to be re-homed. I live in a subdivision that doesn't allow roosters.

Still trying to figure out how to get pics from the phone to the computer. If I can, I'll post pics to get input, but this chicken is noticeably larger than the others, has a louder noise, and much bigger tail. The chicken is mostly white with buff colored feathers coming in on the back of the neck, the the shoulders. The legs are lighter in color than the other EEs. Does this sound like a rooster?

Thanks again Bigzio and CMV.

 

[bigzio]

You are welcome Kataloo...easter eggers come in a variety of colors, so that would not be a clue.
Size might be a clue, but not always.
Tough to cull for me no matter how many times it's necessary...never easy, but it's better for all in the end...some folks allow them to suffer till death..you made the right choice..IMO.

bigz

 

[Kataloo]

Thanks. Your kind words makes me feel better. I actually felt worse about trimming her beak than I did having DH cull her.

 

[CMV]

Unfortunately, it is usually more kind to euthanize crossbeaks than it is to try to save them. Your chick's condition was just going to get progressively worse.

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[ten chicks]

I have a scissor beak silkie and i have never had any issues with her eating/drinking. I do trim her beak,she does not like it,but it is not painful if done correctly. I use deep dish feed/water bowls for her,but other than that she is perfectly healthy/happy,so yes scissor beaks are not always a death sentence.

 

[wvchix]

I have a scissor beak silkie and i have never had any issues with her eating/drinking. I do trim her beak,she does not like it,but it is not painful if done correctly. I use deep dish feed/water bowls for her,but other than that she is perfectly healthy/happy,so yes scissor beaks are not always a death sentence.

I have a Silkie that's beak is the same way and she's 2 years old now. My husband trims it with nail clippers every once in a while and she does just fine.

 

[NETTES CHICKS]

Kataloo, As hard as it is to cull, you did the right thing. I'm new to BYC and when I got my first babies last year, I fell hard in love with each one. One of those was an EE. She was the biggest and most beautiful little bird. But within days, her beak started growing crooked. I searched on BYC and found folks had success with trimming the beak. She did not take well to trimming but I was willing to try anything; she had my heart and soul. She was the sweetest thing. She drooled when she saw me. I gave her mash twice a day. But when the other chickens were starting to lay eggs, she was wilting away. It was so sad. I just couldn't do what I really should have done long before. My husband finally took care of her when she no longer could stand on her own. She had his heart too and so it was not easy for him. So take it from me, I wished I had culled her when she was young and kept the memory of her beauty than to watch my sweet bird wither away.

 

[Kataloo]

Kataloo, As hard as it is to cull, you did the right thing. I'm new to BYC and when I got my first babies last year, I fell hard in love with each one. One of those was an EE. She was the biggest and most beautiful little bird. But within days, her beak started growing crooked. I searched on BYC and found folks had success with trimming the beak. She did not take well to trimming but I was willing to try anything; she had my heart and soul. She was the sweetest thing. She drooled when she saw me. I gave her mash twice a day. But when the other chickens were starting to lay eggs, she was wilting away. It was so sad. I just couldn't do what I really should have done long before. My husband finally took care of her when she no longer could stand on her own. She had his heart too and so it was not easy for him. So take it from me, I wished I had culled her when she was young and kept the memory of her beauty than to watch my sweet bird wither away.

Thanks a lot. This was also an EE. I have to wonder if they have more crossed-beak issues than other birds. It seems the majority I hear of are EEs. Yes, she was a sweetie. The first day they were home she came and fell asleep in my cupped hand. She won my heart. We just just home picking up a replacement chick, also an EE. She looks sooo small and cute next to my now-big three-week old chicks.

 

[bigzio]

I'm prolly out of line here and definitely off topic...but the problem is that cross beak is a genetic problem that continues to be a problem because folks don't cull....they breed chickens with the not so severe problem and...the cycle continues....most folks are buying less than the best....it's just part of backyard poultry, and not a real issue to most....Once one realizes the difference between SOP birds and their quality...their is where the cull is really realized to benefit every buyer and benefit the breed to higher quality.

Peace..bigz

 

[ten chicks]

No,not always genetic related. Can be a result of injury/vitamin/mineral deficiency/developmental issues or genetic trait.