Beak question...

[HuffleClaw]

Should I file my pullet Rose’s beak?

 

[jess924]

I’m wondering why u are considering filing the beak?

 

[True Patriot]

Is she kept inside? Natural pecking and scratching should keep it worn down. Sometimes they grow faster than the chicken keeps up. It doesn't look terribly overgrown. If it's not affecting her eating/drinking I wouldn't worry yet.

 

[HuffleClaw]

By file I mean trim does the top beak look to long? By no means am I filing it off

 

[HuffleClaw]

Is she kept inside? Natural pecking and scratching should keep it worn down. Sometimes they grow faster than the chicken keeps up. It doesn't look terribly overgrown. If it's not affecting her eating/drinking I wouldn't worry yet.

Yes she is, but she gets a minimum of 3 hours per day outside. Thank you so much!

 

[True Patriot]

I have never kept a chicken inside, so this is only a guess. Maybe try something like cuttlebone or a scratching pad so she can use it to groom herself. It works for other type of birds like cockatiel. I have no idea if a chicken would be interested in one. A place like PetSmart bird section may spark some kind of inspiration for a product that may work. I think it would be better in the long run for her to do it as part of her grooming routine, rather than something you have to do to her.

 

[TwoCrows]

It looks like its getting a bit long. If it gets too long they have difficulty picking up food.

When I need to file beaks I use one of those battery operated Ped-Eggs, those foot calus removers. You can file beaks very quickly with least stress on the bird. Use the finest roller, the course roller doesn't file well.

Wrap her in a towel so she is restrained. Hold her head, turn the Ped-Egg on with roller turning down, out and away from the beak when you hold the roller under the beak tip. If it turns toward the beak, you cant file properly. File enough so that there is a short over hang, you don't need to file the bottom mandible (beak), top only. You should be able to see the blood line in the beak tip, just go shy of it.

 

[HuffleClaw]

It looks like its getting a bit long. If it gets too long they have difficulty picking up food.

When I need to file beaks I use one of those battery operated Ped-Eggs, those foot calus removers. You can file beaks very quickly with least stress on the bird. Use the finest roller, the course roller doesn't file well.

Wrap her in a towel so she is restrained. Hold her head, turn the Ped-Egg on with roller turning down, out and away from the beak when you hold the roller under the beak tip. If it turns toward the beak, you cant file properly. File enough so that there is a short over hang, you don't need to file the bottom mandible (beak), top only. You should be able to see the blood line in the beak tip, just go shy of it.

Thank you so much!! I will update with new pictures tomorrow!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you so much!! I will update with new pictures tomorrow!!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Much better!