Beak trimming

[Gemjar82]

Hey I just wondered if I needed to trim my turkeys beak(s)? The females top now hangs below her bottom part. I'll get a photo. Is there anything I can do to help them naturally?

 

[nchls school]

I have to trim my Tom's beak and he is a free range bird. If your birds are not free range providing pans of dirt may help.

 

[Gemjar82]

Hi they are free range and have dirt but I've not seen her earing as normal lately.

 

[R2elk]

Hi they are free range and have dirt but I've not seen her eating as normal lately.

It would not hurt to trim her beak. You can use a nail file, medium to fine grit sandpaper or a dremel tool. Some people recommend giving access to a cement block but you can't force them to use it. Some birds just don't have as good of habits as do others.

 

[Phillyndilly]

I was also interested in this I was holding my Tom today and I noticed how long his beak is. I can also see where the overlap is if that makes sense it looks like a finger nail it’s so weird. He is not free range right now.
Like a cinder bock? I actually have one in the run but I guess he doesn’t use it it’s really for the smaller ducks and chickens to stand on I put it next to one of the tall water buckets.
So this can interfere with eating? I feel like his is even longer than @Gemjar82 ’s

 

[R2elk]

I was also interested in this I was holding my Tom today and I noticed how long his beak is. I can also see where the overlap is if that makes sense it looks like a finger nail it’s so weird. He is not free range right now.
Like a cinder bock? I actually have one in the run but I guess he doesn’t use it it’s really for the smaller ducks and chickens to stand on I put it next to one of the tall water buckets.
So this can interfere with eating? I feel like his is even longer than @Gemjar82 ’s

Cinder block is also known as a cement or concrete block.

If it is allowed to get too far out of proportion, it can interfere with eating.

Not all birds have good self care habits and they can use assistance from time to time. Another thing to check is their toenails. If they aren't worn down properly, they can grow too long and twisted and can cause pain when standing or walking. They can be trimmed the same way or with a pet nail clipper or even with a pair of dikes. Just like trimming a dog's toenails, be careful to not cut into the quick.

 

[Phillyndilly]

Cinder block is also known as a cement or concrete block.

If it is allowed to get too far out of proportion, it can interfere with eating.

Not all birds have good self care habits and they can use assistance from time to time. Another thing to check is their toenails. If they aren't worn down properly, they can grow too long and twisted and can cause pain when standing or walking. They can be trimmed the same way or with a pet nail clipper or even with a pair of dikes. Just like trimming a dog's toenails, be careful to not cut into the quick.

Thanks I’m definitely going to cut his. Ya I look at their feet a lot I’m always checking for leg mites now because 2 of our bantams were sold to us with them and I had no clue it’s all under control now though. Also that’s what happened with our goose his toenail twisted off and the whole quick was actually hanging out it was terrible and our fault for not trimming his nails so I wont let that happen again. I don’t think he’s going to like the beak trimming I’ll post a picture of the clippers I have I’m not sure if they will work. But I make the husband do the trimming. I’m the holder who does occasional sound effects!