The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Breeding

Cross beak - genetic, environment...what?

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Birdcrazy:

--- Quote from: Susan Mouw on May 18, 2016, 12:11:25 PM ---
Let's just say that pen has been a disappointment for this year.  Thankfully, the chicks from my other wheaten pen look good.

--- End quote ---

Susan, Over the years I have had a few (probably less than 10 out of thousands hatched that developed cross beaks. Some at 3-4 weeks of age and others later in the growing out cycle). I have done research also with no distinctive conclusion. Theories anywhere from incubation, genetics, food source etc. From your statement above you jogged my memory. The vast majority of the few cross beaks that I raised were from my Wheaten/Blue Wheaten pens. I really don't remember any from my BBS pens. That would lead me to suspect a genetic issue. Just my 2 cents worth if it is worth that.

HarryS:
I have found that cross beaks are genetic.  It only happens in certain strains.  I have also found that when bantam blood was added it is more evident.  Had two different pens of a certain color hatch at the same time since I had them separated for several hatches only the one strain hatched with cross beaks and the other stain had none.  I recommend to cull the ones that produce it.  I have not seen it to happening from incubation although if you only get one it may be possible but to have several and you hatch different strains and only one strain has this defect it is most likely the strain.  You can breed it out if you wish to take on the effort of test mating but I only recommend it if you are testing a small amount of birds otherwise you will be test mating for the whole hatching season.

Susan Mouw:
Anyone in the market for a nice laying, 1 y/o laying EE hen? lol

DeWayne Edgin:
I have all 8 varieties of Large fowl plus self blue and i have had atleast one cross beak chick in every varietey except for self blue. I have only had 1 from Whites and Brown Reds but i had more from Wheatens. This year my Silvers threw 3 of them and i never had it in my Silvers before. I don`t think it is a varietey issue in my observation. My Silvers were all hatched from my own line with no outside blood brought in and i never had a Silver with it till this year. I guess i should just call and get Penn States opinion on this. I need to get time to call before the lady leaves for the day.  :)

HarryS:
The cross beak is a recessive gene and can show up any time over many years.  You need both parents to donate the gene for the chick to have it. 

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