Is this little Scissor face a Roo? Best timing to trade out if so?

[Surfhen]

Hi! First post on BYC after many months of reading through the boards. Yipee!

This ~3 week old Easter Egger has worsening scissor beak--which I was planning to stay the course for, give her a fighting chance for as long as she could hang in there--until "Scully" started to act more like a "Mulder." The chick is almost twice the size and weight of other chicks born the same day; has thicker, longer legs; a stubby tail that sticks up; and a posture more akin to a duckling. Also this baby is kind of a jerk. Lots of shoving and chasing the other chicks.



First question: What's the likelihood this is a Roo? Worth waiting a few more weeks to see, or should I talk with the farmer about swapping out ASAP because...
Second question: ...I really want an EE hen. What's the ideal age to introduce a new chick to the flock before the incumbent hens become rude to a newcomer?

Thank you kindly!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

It’s too early to tell, the chick doesn’t have any obvious signs of being a cockerel.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Even if it isn't a roo, that one should be put down. If it's that severe already, it's gonna get worse

 

[Surfhen]

Even if it isn't a roo, that one should be put down. If it's that severe already, it's gonna get worse

I think you're right. Oof. Okay, onto find the board with info on how to do that... thanks for your feedback!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I think you're right. Oof. Okay, onto find the board with info on how to do that... thanks for your feedback!

If the chick is bigger than the others it’s doing fine right now. Since it’s not suffering at the moment, I wouldn’t euthanize it unless it starts to decline.

 

[Surfhen]

If the chick is bigger than the others it’s doing fine right now. Since it’s not suffering at the moment, I wouldn’t euthanize it unless it starts to decline.

Agreed! Thank you

 

[-Shade-]

If the chick is bigger than the others it’s doing fine right now. Since it’s not suffering at the moment, I wouldn’t euthanize it unless it starts to decline.

Agreed. The chick seems to be doing fantastic, and there are lots of ways that you research to help a chicken with crossbeak. It's not impossible.

 

[Kimberoo]

Just wanted to say, I have a crossbeak silkie and she is living a good life! Deep dishes for food and water help. Don't breed it, obviously, no matter what gender. But it can live a good long life with minimal accomodations.

 

[Surfhen]

Agreed. The chick seems to be doing fantastic, and there are lots of ways that you research to help a chicken with crossbeak. It's not impossible.

crossing my feathers!

 

[Surfhen]

Just wanted to say, I have a crossbeak silkie and she is living a good life! Deep dishes for food and water help. Don't breed it, obviously, no matter what gender. But it can live a good long life with minimal accomodations.

encouraging to hear! how severe is your bird's cross beak?