De-beaked :'(

[avoight606]

I just bought a few new hens, one of them has been de-beaked... I feel so sorry for her, she couldnt enjoy the pumpkin they got as a treat the other day with the other hens.... is this normal for people raising chickens to do to the hens?

 

[Robo]

I have never really seen a reason why to de-beak a hen, but it helps to keep the feathers on the hens neck if you do it to roosters.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

It is a production thing, and in a caged setting I suppose it is better to debeak than to have chickens ripping them selves and each other apart. I have 4 that are beak trimmed from hatchery and it really does not cause them any problems, they may need to work a bit harder at breaking down vegitables but other than that no bid deal.

Like above, in a back yard flock, likely no need given a good diet and lots of space.