bad beaks!

[jotee]

I have recently purchased four 19 week old Isa Browns to add to my flock. I had no idea that they would have their beaks trimmed ( more like mutilated)... two of them so short, their tongue's are almost visible....They seem to have a bit of trouble picking up the laying mash....do you think they were fed pellets and if so can they adapt to the grain with such short beaks?? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated....thanks.

P.S. I have always raised my birds as day olds so never had trimmed beaks before, really hate it!

 

[cackleberrycam]

Your hens have been what they call "Debeaked."
Debeaked chickens have a part of their beaks trimmed off to prevent chickens from pecking each other.
It sounds to me like your hens have been permanently debeaked.
They may have a hard time eating because of it.

 

[Kelsie2290]

They usually recommend feeding trimmed birds in deep dishes since they eat more by scooping than by picking things up... make sure there is a good depth of feed. They should be able to eat pellets, crumbles or mash, they may like one better than the other, or be used to one.

 

[jotee]

Thanks, I'll get some pellets and see how that works for them....

 

[jotee]

De-beaked, you're not kidding!....Who ever does the trimming at this hatchery needs a refresher course.....