What’s this?

[CashewVulture]

Is this some sort of cross beak/scissor beak deformity or just deformed cavernous nostrils? This is a 6 week old cockerel and I first noticed it yesterday when looking at him from the front. His beak is slightly offset. He has a smalll gap where his beak can’t 100% close but it’s not very noticeable

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would say it's some type of skull or genetic deformity.

The beak is slightly out of alignment as well.

Crested birds may have more issues with deformities than others.

If he's eating/drinking and active, I'd just monitor him to make sure he's thriving and gaining.

I would not use him for breeding, but he could certainly be enjoyed as a member of the flock or as a pet.

 

[CashewVulture]

I would say it's some type of skull or genetic deformity

Hmm interesting. It’s weird though because both parents are very healthy and aren’t even related (that I know of).

If he's eating/drinking and active, I'd just monitor him to make sure he's thriving and gaining

Of all his 5 brothers, he is the smallest. He is completely normal otherwise, he eats and drinks and has as much energy as everyone else.

I would not use him for breeding, but he could certainly be enjoyed as a member of the flock or as a pet.

I did have him as a candidate for breeding. He has a lot of good traits. I might be able to keep him separated from the rest during spring/summer when I want hatching eggs/chicks, but if not, I will definitely find someone else who can give him a good home.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

both parents are very healthy and aren’t even related (that I know of).

Both parents can be healthy but carry recessive genes for this sort of thing. If both parents contribute the faulty recessive gene, then it shows up in the offspring, though it isn't evident in the parents.

 

[CashewVulture]

Both parents can be healthy but carry recessive genes for this sort of thing. If both parents contribute the faulty recessive gene, then it shows up in the offspring, though it isn't evident in the parents.

Ah I see. That’s unfortunate.

The good thing is the other siblings from the same parents are not deformed at all

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ah I see. That’s unfortunate.

The good thing is the other siblings from the same parents are not deformed at all

Well, yes ... but. They could also carry the recessive gene but not show it. I believe each offspring has a 25% chance of carrying the recessive gene, but bird genetics are very complex so I could be wrong. Myself ... I would not breed out of that line at all.

The only person I know that might know, and who breeds, is @The Moonshiner. And if he doesn't know, he probably knows who does. Moony?

 

[CashewVulture]

Well, yes ... but. They could also carry the recessive gene but not show it. I believe each offspring has a 25% chance of carrying the recessive gene, but bird genetics are very complex so I could be wrong. Myself ... I would not breed out of that line at all.

The only person I know that might know, and who breeds, is @The Moonshiner. And if he doesn't know, he probably knows who does. Moony?

That sucks. I don’t really have access to any new bloodlines where I live. I’ve looked everywhere.
There are only 2 hatcheries in all of Canada who carry this breed. The one where I got mine, and there’s another one who breeds them so badly that I never considered them.

I would definitely avoid hatching chicks from chickens who could produce deformed and unhealthy offspring but on the other hand, i’m not sure what else I could do.

Even if I decided not to hatch anymore at all, my broody hens would do it for me

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Then I guess all you can do is keep breeding your best stock. Good luck!

 

[CashewVulture]

Then I guess all you can do is keep breeding your best stock. Good luck!

Thanks I will try to keep the very best ones for breeding