Marans beak issues?

[MomMommyMamma]

Are hooked and/or crossed beaks common among BFCM? We hatched out eggs a few months ago and all of the chicks have hooked beaks. Two are not able to close the beak, one is hooked and also crossed. Just wondering if this is kind of known issue with this breed or is this just a fluke? Could it be from something that happened to the eggs? They were shipped, allowed to stand 1 day, and hatched by a very experienced breeder & neighbor. She has hatched other chicks for us without anything unusual happening.
I would not consider any of these birds to be breeding stock for sure. A little disappointed and wanting to avoid anything like this again if at all possible.

 

[sourland]

I don't know a thing about Marans, but it sounds like a genetic issue to me. I would notify the seller so that they are aware of what is going on. If they are truly breeders, they will want to know.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

Quote:
I have. I have never heard anything back. I find this to be one of the frustrating things about buying hatching eggs. I left feedback on the condition of the eggs when they arrived - as we asked to do. I understand that for breeders it would be difficult to have feedback left on actual hatches since so much can effect the hatch and the chicks. Just frustrated. I won't breed them obviously. A little bummed about the time & money lost on them in that sense. But then again, I'm sure they will have fun personalities and fit nicely with the egg production girls. I hope anyway lol! It's interesting that my friend also hatched out silkies for us at the same time (separate bators) and when they hatched, the silkies had a higher hatch rate and the chicks were also much more vigorous. She had me over to show me since she's my chicken enabler/coach

There was indeed a difference in their energy levels and apparent vitality(?). It's all so interesting!

 

[MomMommyMamma]

I have now heard from the breader - which I am pleased about. It speaks well of her to be interested. I took these pics today. Keep in mind that we used dog nail trimmers to trim the beaks yesterday. I would appreciate feedback on what the proper terms are for these beaks. I apologize for them being links, I didn't want to fill up my picture allotment here with beak pictures.


Picture of crossed beak hen from the left. http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/crossed_beak1.jpg
Picture of crossed beak hen from the right. http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/crossed_beak2.jpg

One of the hens. This is "typical" for this group. http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/hook_beak1.jpg

Rooster. http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/roo_beak.jpg

The hen with the tunnel on her beak. She wasn't very cooperative about her close ups. I think you can get the idea though. She has a groove/tunnel on the top left of her beak.
http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/tunnel_beak.jpg

A comparison of one of the marans hens & a silkie that is exactly 7 days younger . They have been together since they were 2 & 3 wks respectively, so they have had the same conditions in which to use their beaks. http://www.amberperrypatterns.com/images/compare_beaks.jpg

 

[flgardengirl]

Wow I haven't seen that in any of my Marans and I have lots of different varieties. I know crossbeak and other deformities can show up in any breed though. It must be either a nutritional deficiency or a genetic issue since you have so many with that similar problems.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

Quote:
If it were nutritional, would it be showing in our other birds? The silkies are just 1 week difference in age and they have eaten the same. I've considered the incubation, but there was, obviously, the second hatch (silkies) that were hatched in the exact same method & incubator brand/style. There have also been successful hatches in the incubator the marans were in both before and since their hatch. Our neighbor, and fellow BYCer hatched them for us. She is very experienced and hatches often for herself and others.
I think I lean to genetics, but I am very interested in all possibilities. Learning is how we become better chicken keepers. The hatcher has said that based on all that she noticed, she leans towards either genetics of that the eggs were possibly not as fresh as we thought. Could that be a factor also?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have hatched over 300 Marans chicks in the past 2 years and have never had a beak deformity in the breed. I occasionally get it in the Sizzles but no other breed I have hatched has had this. I ordered some from Ideal poultry that came with that and had to destroy them, they were so pitiful.
Most of my Marans bloodlines are from Whitmore Farm. Not sure if that makes a difference. I steer away from certain bloodlines though.

I also feed my Marans a 28% protein diet while growing up. And when in breeding I dose their water with vitamin A-D-E 3 days a week as well as ACV and garlic 3 times a week. Mine are always on dirt pens that get moved frequently to fresh ground. I do believe Marans need a bit of different care just like Silkies do. I give my Silkies extra vitamin E every week and less corn.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

Quote:
So it does appear that these beaks are more hook-like than they should be. The breeder I got the eggs from sent me pics of her chicks of a similar age and their beaks looked just like mine do. I was getting the impression that she felt this was normal for the breed. Which is why I am asking more questions. When I look at these, I don't think they are good breeding stock, but I wanted some validation since I'm still pretty new to all of this.

On the silkies, these are our first, thanks for the info on the Vit. E. Is this a liquid you give them? On their food? And what is ACV? And how do you give chickens garlic lol? Mine wont eat any raw garlic or onions. We don't give it often since I had read on here that it can alter the taste of the eggs if you're eating them. Thanks!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Nope, not normal for the breed. None of my kids look like that or ever have. Sounds genetic to me.

Look at my web page on the Marans. You can see some youngsters. But at the top of the page you can see the adolescents, not great photos but their top beak line up with the bottom beak. All of them have a curve but they all fit together just fine.

Above, this is a pullet 2 years ago.
Below, this is her now.

A baby hatched 2 days ago......

I would definitely not breed that. Use them for pretty eggs but do not breed them.

My Silkies get a mash of starter feed, rolled oats, hard boiled eggs mashed up and I buy wheat germ oil with extra vit E and pour it in to make a mushy substance. I can form these into balls and put in a dish or make little mountains for them to peck at.
ACV is apple cider vinegar. I get a gallon of organic and put garlic in a blender to puree it then add about 3 tbsp to the gallon of ACV and add about 2 tbsp to a gallon of drinking water. Can't taste it in the eggs.