Clipped Beaks

[Mamachic1967]

The end of June this year I bought my hens 18-24 weeks old. Their beaks were clipped to avoid less pecking of each other. The last week or so I've noticed a change in a few of their beaks. Is this normal? Are they growing new beaks? Or is there a deformality starting? They don't seem ill because they are eating, drinking and laying as usual. It was difficult to get pictures as they move around so much! But here's a few.

 

[Jackschicks]

5 years ago when I bought my first chickens from one of the local feed stores their beaks were clipped like that. I was so excited about getting chickens that I didn't even realize it until I got them home. I was horrified! 3 of the girls beaks did eventually grow back but two of them never did. The 2 with clipped beaks always had a harder time eating and were unable to free range very well. They seemed to have a much harder time pecking scratch or bugs off the ground and did best eating from a bowl where the food was deep and they could actually "scoop" food out. I will never buy a chicken with a clipped beak again. I hope your girls beaks grow back soon!

 

[Mamachic1967]

Thank you for your post. Made me feel better. I worried about the beak clipping and I notice too they struggle to eat at times cause some of the bigger girls are pretty greedy. They seem to be growing their beaks back, so that's a good thing. Poor babies! I don't like the idea of clipping. I heard that it hurts them. Thank you for your message. I feel more reassured now.