Beaks grow back?

[Duckfarmer1]

I have two red sex links that have trimmed beaks because the farm does it when they're young so there's no pecking... In my opinion doing this to beaks creates issues for the chicken. They have a harder time getting bugs and other things off the ground. I hate that my RSL have trimmed beaks, but I'm glad I bought them because they're my best layers.

How many chickens do you have? How large is their run and coop? What feed do you use?

I agree with others that you should resolve the pecking problem not the beak issue.

Ok. We have 12 hens and a rooster in 21 x 8 with a large play area. The size of s trampoline. That we have attached in front for graining and we move it around when the dirt gets picked. They don’t pick each other. Just our rooster. Or we think. We see them picking at his neck and bum which are now bald. I posted a thread about being hen pecked but people thought he was going through a hard molt. But there are no feathers. Weird. Anyway we do see them pick at him. We only trimmed the little guys because an old farmer relative said we should. We’re new to Farming. 8 mths. And it’s a hobby with more than 100 animals sooo it’s a lot to learn. But I never see the little guys pick at each other

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Ok. We have 12 hens and a rooster in 21 x 8 with a large play area. The size of s trampoline. That we have attached in front for graining and we move it around when the dirt gets picked. They don’t pick each other. Just our rooster. Or we think. We see them picking at his neck and bum which are now bald. I posted a thread about being hen pecked but people thought he was going through a hard molt. But there are no feathers. Weird. Anyway we do see them pick at him. We only trimmed the little guys because an old farmer relative said we should. We’re new to Farming. 8 mths. And it’s a hobby with more than 100 animals sooo it’s a lot to learn. But I never see the little guys pick at each other

We have 7 that we’re born aug 1. Their fence butts up against the other ones. We plan to add on to the big cage. We just bought more fence yesterday. A lot. Then they’ll all be together. At what age do I put them together. With ducks you just observe and go on gut. This seems different. Plus the little guys go free range all day but the older ones are afraid. We got them from a rough farm. So they stay in the play yard

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

The only beaks I trim is my cross beak silkie, yes they do grow back but maintain them their selves unless like stated above there is overcrowding, etc.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree .... We need more info.

What feed are you using?
What is the protein percentage in that feed?

More run space is always a good thing. Getting that fence up will be helpful.

I also have only ever had to trim a cross beaked birds beak.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

Yeah, I wouldnt do it, as said bfr, thats for large commercial egg farms where they dont want them pecking and eatin each other. So dont trim em, you dont need to, especially since its so hard for you. Ive never trimmed any of my gals or guys beaks. No reason to.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

We have 2 batches of chickens, the older ones came with their beaks trimmed, so we thought we should do this to our younger ones. They are now 12 weeks. I wasn’t using this place much then and had chicken friends on Instagram...I asked what age to trim but none of them thought it was necessary...we did because we saw our hens picking at our rooster..mean Spike...so about a month ago we did it... I was traumatized. I can’t stand the idea of hurting anything even if it’s not really or only for a minute... some beaks bled a tiny bit...but we only trimmed a tiny bit. Well, they’re all back! Do we need to do this again..and, do we go further back this time? Ugh

I wouldn't trim their beaks unless you are keeping in less than ideal or stressful conditions. But then again, I am against the cropping of dogs' ears and tails for "show". Completely unnecessary and cruel.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I’m sorry not to reply. I was on iPhone and then went to iPad and tried but didn’t work. Anyway. We only tried to trim beak because the older ones came that way and we see them picking at Spike. The rooster neighbors and bumm. But I read that might be molting. But why do they pick at him. So we thought it needed done. They are in coop 21x8. And have play yard we change weekly for new grass. The little guys don’t pick. They are in a small pen for now until we put them all together. It’s 8x 16 for 7 guys. And they are out all day. We just thought it was what you’re supposed to do. New picture of expanded play yard . There are 12 chickens and a rooster in the big pen

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Yeah, I wouldnt do it, as said bfr, thats for large commercial egg farms where they dont want them pecking and eatin each other. So dont trim em, you dont need to, especially since its so hard for you. Ive never trimmed any of my gals or guys beaks. No reason to.

Got it. Thanks

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Ok about the trimmings of beaks..but why do they peck at Spike’s neck and bum..and if he’s molting..why don’t we see any of his striped feathers?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ok about the trimmings of beaks..but why do they peck at Spike’s neck and bum..and if he’s molting..why don’t we see any of his striped feathers?

Can you get someone to hold him while you get pics of his plucked zones?

We would be able to tell if he is trying to grow new feathers.

Soooo ...... Let's look at their diet. That may be a contributing factor.
What feed are they eating?
What is the protein percentage in that feed?
What is the calcium content?
Do they have oyster shell available in a separate dish?
What treats/scraps do they get?
How often for treats?
How much volume in cups are the treats?

Are the ladies molting?
Laying?