Crossbeaked Ameraucanas?

[CombNWattles]

It seems like a lot of crossbeaks are Ameraucanas; I want to see how many there are in proportion to crossbeaks of other breeds!

 

[AinaWGSD]

The two crossbeak chicks I've had were both hatchery "Americaunas" (so easter eggers). Although I did see a picture of a pretty gnarly crossbeak in a review of Meyers BLR wyandottes. And I think i read a review of their cookies and cream where someone got a crossbeak chick.

Eta: My theory is there are more issues in hatchery birds in general than specific breeds. Maybe we should add a vote for hatchery ameraucanas and other breed hatchery stock?

 

[CombNWattles]

Good idea.

 

[MommyGirl]

My crossbeak is a Colombian Wyandotte that came from Hoovers.
She is bottom of the peaking order but she does have some friends higher up and they seem to look out for her and one even cleans her beak for her

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine were almost all silkies, and one was a bantam naked neck

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It seems like a lot of crossbeaks are Ameraucanas; I want to see how many there are in proportion to crossbeaks of other breeds!

Many years ago, I got bantam Ameraucana from John Blehm. They all looked very good and no cross beak was noticeable.

However subsequent hatches I had from that parent stock did present chicks with cross beak.. which started to become noticeable around 3 weeks of age. I can't recall if it was 2 or 3 out of 10.. and I culled them.. Even though it was a small sample size.. I couldn't see myself selling chicks that may become problematic and there by diminishing my own reputation. So I sold off the parent stock with disclosure.

I reiterate.. mine were NOT hatchery stock. And it was NOT visible in the parent stock. Breeding good quality birds is quite challenging. Cross beak was not a case of poor incubation techniques in my experience.. with over 1000 chicks hatched those were the only ones with cross beak.. leading me to the conclusion that it was genetic. Hidden genetics at that.

 

[abpatchy]

I can't name the source anymore but I did hear that bearded chickens are more prone to having a cross beak than other breads. So that could be your reason for seeing more cross beaked ameraucanas.

 

[texsuze]

Blanche, my easter egger (actually lays olive eggs) from Meyer hatchery will be 3 in May. She is a crossbeak, probably mild-medium "severity" and is the Energizer Bunny of chooks! Always in everyone's business, highly active, bossy. I take Blanche to the vet for a beak trim each 7-8 weeks on average. Her parrot beak (upper) conformation is actually more problematic than her crossbeak. I made a slightly elevated and slanted stand where her food cups can be placed to make it easier for her to eat. She's a pistol!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Had one crossbeak and it was an Ameraucana type Easter Egger.