Beak Trimming

[Aphrael]

I have a hen that is about 8months old and she is rubbing her beak along the chicken wire in her hen house. It is now starting to split on the end so i trimmed a little with toe nail clippers i don't want to trim too much, but it is still split. Any suggestions?

I just had to do the same with one of my young pullets a couple nights ago. Her upper beak had gotten far too long and had begun to split as well. I used large nail clippers and trimmed it to a much more comfortable length (for her). You want to watch out that you don't clip it too close to the quick and you should be fine. One thing you can do to help prevent this is provide them with concrete or cinder blocks or large rocks that they can scrape their beaks on. I have them scattered about and mine use them frequently. Don't know why this girl didn't. First time I've had this issue.

 

[hbosinger]

I guess, as a new chicken owner, I dont fully know the definition of "trimming" because I see the controversy. I just want to carefully file off the sharp tip on the very end of the beak to minimize the pain of pecking and to protect each other from drawing blood.

 

[eviemethugh]

I guess, as a new chicken owner, I dont fully know the definition of "trimming" because I see the controversy. I just want to carefully file off the sharp tip on the very end of the beak to minimize the pain of pecking and to protect each other from drawing blood. 

Trimming is usually considered to be just the overhang of the top that goes past the bottom. I haven't found it necessary and have owned about 200 chickens. Yes, when a chicken pecks you you feel it, but it's not like being bitten by a dog. And chickens with plenty of room and interesting things to do won't be out for blood from each other. Pecking another chicken establishes flock hierarchy and is important to them.

 

[azygous]

Some beaks can be very sharp, and it does no harm to snip off the very tip, but be very, very careful you don't snip off too much or you will have bleeding that will be very hard to stop!

Also, the beak will grow back even longer than before because you've stimulated the cells in the beak to reproduce and they will keep doing it.

You might just decide it's not worth all that.

 

[ojum43]

It is not cruel at all. It's just like trimming your fingernails. If they're kept in a small space, or a coop, it's cruel NOT to trim it. The part you trim normally gets worn down by pecking at things, but if they don't get to free-range, or have a block, the top part gets too long and they have trouble eating. It's not the whole top part of the beak at all. Just the tip of it. Not all birds need trimming, every bird is different. But it is ABSOLUTELY NOT cruel!!!