I have read through MANY posts regarding cross beak and crooked toes, but have a couple questions that weren't specifically answered.
We have 49 straight-run chicks from Welp (Privett). We will keep the pullets and a couple cockerels, but the rest of the cockerels will be butchered. One of my black Jersey Giants has a crooked toe and started about a week ago (they are almost 3 wks old). The last joint twists outward. I am not sure if it was due to an injury or just appeared late. It doesn't seem to bother the chick and he/she jumps onto things as if it is not an issue. One post had mentioned that it may be a vitamin deficiency, another said genetic, and a third said high temp in the incubator. First question) If this is a hen, we are keeping it. Is this a genetic thing to be weary of (though it showed up late?) and will it get worse? Also, I don't think taping it at this point will help..the joint feels stiff in that position. A possible break that healed?
I also have a salmon Faverolle cockerel that is developing a cross beak. We noticed it for the first time yesterday. It is VERY mild at this point. I noticed it because there is a small gap between the to and bottom of the beak. The tip of the bottom beak touches the left side of the tip of the top beak. Like I said, it is very minor. I have read a number of posts under the search section and I understand that it can be genetic and that it may get worse over time. This chick has no problem eating at this point. Obviously, we will not keep this roo since we want to breed our chickens. Question two) Considering that it is very minor at 3 wks of age, can it still become a severe cross beak by the time of culling (~4 months)? I haven't seen a post that describes the progression of cross beak over time, so I am not sure what to expect. Side note: Culling now is not an option since he can eat fine and we would like to try to keep him for meat.
Thanks so much!
We have 49 straight-run chicks from Welp (Privett). We will keep the pullets and a couple cockerels, but the rest of the cockerels will be butchered. One of my black Jersey Giants has a crooked toe and started about a week ago (they are almost 3 wks old). The last joint twists outward. I am not sure if it was due to an injury or just appeared late. It doesn't seem to bother the chick and he/she jumps onto things as if it is not an issue. One post had mentioned that it may be a vitamin deficiency, another said genetic, and a third said high temp in the incubator. First question) If this is a hen, we are keeping it. Is this a genetic thing to be weary of (though it showed up late?) and will it get worse? Also, I don't think taping it at this point will help..the joint feels stiff in that position. A possible break that healed?
I also have a salmon Faverolle cockerel that is developing a cross beak. We noticed it for the first time yesterday. It is VERY mild at this point. I noticed it because there is a small gap between the to and bottom of the beak. The tip of the bottom beak touches the left side of the tip of the top beak. Like I said, it is very minor. I have read a number of posts under the search section and I understand that it can be genetic and that it may get worse over time. This chick has no problem eating at this point. Obviously, we will not keep this roo since we want to breed our chickens. Question two) Considering that it is very minor at 3 wks of age, can it still become a severe cross beak by the time of culling (~4 months)? I haven't seen a post that describes the progression of cross beak over time, so I am not sure what to expect. Side note: Culling now is not an option since he can eat fine and we would like to try to keep him for meat.
Thanks so much!
