Joe, thanks so much for sharing these pics. They are really beautiful!
A note of explanation to all of you: The beautiful little pullet had a not-too-badly crossed beak, and I couldn't bring myself to cull her, as I have been told to do, but I've always thought the condition was caused by something that happened during incubation. She had no problem eating or drinking and was healthy. Her cross beak was not noticeable at first. I took her to the first event Joe organized in Stillwell, and gave her to Joe's son. I slightly trimmed her beak right there, but got it too close, and she bled for awhile, which worried quite a few people, not to mention me! It was a cold, rainy day, and she had to stay there in a cage all day. Until yesterday, I didn't know how she fared; I've worried quite a lot about that little girl, but couldn't bring myself to ask. I was soooooo excited and relieved that Joe brought it up and that it had such a happy outcome.
I was also happy to hear that along with me, Joe feels that cross beak is not genetic, but rather some "glitch" during incubation. Not proof, by any means, but he's hatched many young from her with NO crossbeaks at all. I've had very, very few but don't use them as parents, so have no real knowledge, just a feeling.