Beak question -need photo

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valewife

valewife

Chirping
12 Years
Apr 24, 2009
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Is it necessary to trim the end of the upper beak
on turkeys- NOT de-beaking, just a tiny trim of over-growth of the tip?
It seems I have read something about this-or maybe it was for peas ?
My three have quite a hook on the end.
Or is this normal ?
I need to see a close-up photo of the normal, healthy adult turkey beak
if anyone can post one.
Thanks group.
 
It sounds like the beaks have overgrown. They grow just like human fingernails, and are basically the same type of material. There is a live "core" in the center, but the end is dead tissue. It is meant to wear down as the bird forages. But, domestic birds don't have to work as hard for their food, so it may not wear down. It would probably be good to give them something like a pumice stone or cuttlebone to peck at, but once the beak is overgrown, I believe it probably has to be trimmed. It's probably not all that hard to do, except for the part about immobilizing a frightened turkey. Your best friend in that area may be something like an old pillow case or cloth sack, plus some duct tape to immobilize the bird, plus an assistant or two.

I'm no expert, but that is my take on it -- I'm anxious to see what others say. I've done this on small caged pet birds before, but never anything like a turkey. With a tiny finch, there is nothing to it.
 
A slight curve there is normal. I would never trim the beak of the bird, unless it was grossly deformed which would be obvious. Just leave it alone. That beak is a sensitive and precious tool for all a turkeys needs (feeding, defending, status, egg turning, etc.).
Here's one of my boys:
4957_turkey_beak.jpg
 
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Quote:
That sounds like good advice to me !!
I tend to worry over my critters too much.
Thanks.
 
Quote:
Thanks for posting the pic.
I guess my turkeys' beaks are ok.
I'll stop worrying about it.
 
Quote:
Thanks for posting the pic.
I guess my turkeys' beaks are ok.
I'll stop worrying about it.

It's fine to ask ... that's what we're all here for!
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How great to have a forum to ask all our chicken questions.
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Do yours' beaks resemble the ones in my photo?
 
We have a year old tom turkey (Bronze) who's upper beak is much longer than the ones in the photo above, probably about 1/2 inch beyond his lower beak. It is also going off to one side. We think that trimming may be wise. We were going to use our dog nail clippers and trim it. Does this sound like it is a good idea? He is in good condition (weight and such) presently but view it could be detrimental to his well being. Thanks for your feedback.
 
RJs Query said:
We have a year old tom turkey (Bronze) who's upper beak is much longer than the ones in the photo above, probably about 1/2 inch beyond his lower beak. It is also going off to one side. We think that trimming may be wise. We were going to use our dog nail clippers and trim it. Does this sound like it is a good idea? He is in good condition (weight and such) presently but view it could be detrimental to his well being. Thanks for your feedback.
Click to expand...
You should post a pic first, he might be just fine. If you decided you need to trim then yes dog nail trimmers will work. I used dog nail trimmers to trim up a cross beak chick of mine.
 
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Mine's not a turkey, but my dominique's beak has not matched up properly since she was about a month old (after a neighbor's cat attacked). I have always had to help her keep her upper beak trimmed (with a dremmel sander). But lately its become apparent that she is not able to eat well enough, so I watched her trying to pick through a big dish of BOSS. she's maybe 1 for 20 in picking them up and getting them into her mouth. Same with a big dish of mealworms. Big, deep dishes of seeds and scoopable foods and her crop is still empty. Thoughts on what to try next? I've started feeding her from a syringe, and have a feeding tube to gavage on the way, but that's not a desirable long term solution... She's only 3# 13 oz now.

She seems to be able to preen herself okay.


 

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