There are different kinds of trimming. One is to help keep the beaks in shape if something gets out of kilter.
The other is to stop cannibalism. As Ddawn said, many commercial operations do this on a regular basis. They cut part of the top beak off so they can't pinch and grab bits of flesh. I seriously doubt it hurts at all. As long as you don't get too deep, it is probably a lot like trimming your fingernails. It still just does not sound right to me. Trimming the top beak back is one of the things they do that allow the chickens to be crowded into small spaces. Cannibalism is a common sign of over-crowded chickens.
Occasionally, some of us will have a chicken that becomes a cannibal, not matter how much space they have (although it is often caused by overcrowding). It does not happen often if we have decent space, but they are living things and anything can happen. It is a learned behavior and once it starts, it is real hard to stop. Ususally the only way is to either permanently remove the guilty chickens or trim the top beak.
The other is to stop cannibalism. As Ddawn said, many commercial operations do this on a regular basis. They cut part of the top beak off so they can't pinch and grab bits of flesh. I seriously doubt it hurts at all. As long as you don't get too deep, it is probably a lot like trimming your fingernails. It still just does not sound right to me. Trimming the top beak back is one of the things they do that allow the chickens to be crowded into small spaces. Cannibalism is a common sign of over-crowded chickens.
Occasionally, some of us will have a chicken that becomes a cannibal, not matter how much space they have (although it is often caused by overcrowding). It does not happen often if we have decent space, but they are living things and anything can happen. It is a learned behavior and once it starts, it is real hard to stop. Ususally the only way is to either permanently remove the guilty chickens or trim the top beak.
