"de-beeking" to stop picking

[New2Peeps]

De-beaking is taking part of the beak off and is like cutting a dogs toenails back into the quick where it bleeds and is very painful.

Beak trimming or grinding is like trimming the sharp tips off a dogs nails and you don't go into the quick, the nerve endings or cause blood loss or pain.

People who have parrots (as I have had) will tell you that this is necessary sometimes if a bird does not wear the beak down normally and can be done at home with a dremel or if you have a really cooperative bird--a file. Avian vets also perform this service.

 

[the1much]

wouldnt "peepers" be easier, faster, and better for the birds,, then debeaking.... i know lots that have had to use them and they say it worked great.

 

[MissPrissy]

Beak trimming is one thing. De-beaking is very cruel. They never recover and have troubles the rest of their lives. Don't do it.

If youhave picking issues there is a reason.

Bored chickens.
Not enough space - over crowding.
Mites/Lice.
Stress.
Lack of animal protein in the diet.

Please investigate every issue before engaging in a mutilating procedure.

 

[the1much]

http://www.eggcartons.com/product-exec/product_id/754/nm/Pinless_Peepers_PINLESS_P

 

[Black Feather]

Every once in a while I get a bird or a few birds that will 'pick' at each other. From my experience it turns into a habit and it is better to cull out the instigators then try to solve the actually picking habit. The problem is others will learn from the picker how to start picking themselves. I find this problem worst in white chickens. They will start to pick at the blood feathers of other white chickens, or light colored birds. After they start it's hard to get them to stop.

I don't think beak trimming is going to help IMHO. If they can still grab hold with their beak they can still do damage by pulling feathers out whether there is a sharp tip to their beak or not.

If it was my flock I would separate the trouble makers and see if things settle down.

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

I am assuming since this is in the "raising baby chicks" topic, that they are still under a heat lamp. Have you tried a red heat lamp or red floodlight? They can't see the blood then, and it is supposed to stop the picking.

 

[the1much]

i cull my game birds that are pickers,, i had 2 a month ago,, liked picking better then ANY food,, and all other "conditions" were great for them, these 2 were just awful,, and i didnt want to sell to someone that may have, or get other birds,, so they were culled.

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Many of you have responded with your suggestion that I cull the birds. To me, this means getting rid of one chick who seems to be the main victim. Six of my seven chicks look okay, but one is looking pretty bad. I don't want to kill this chick, so I am going to do the following:

I will not remove or trim their beeks. I believe it when it's said this is the most sensitive part of the chick. I will go now and get a red lamp so they can get more rest and not see the blood. I will send for those devices that are installed on their beeks. I will continue to give them more time outside and get their GIANT run finished as well as their Coup de Gras Palace ready.

If I cannot stop them, I may have to put down the one chick that is getting pecked so badly. I won't let any animal suffer.

Thank you all!

 

[the1much]

i dont think anyone suggested that you cull the chick thats been picked,, least myself when i did talk about culling, i was talking about culling the bird that is doing the picking,, and me myself, i first suggested the peepers, then culling is another option.

 

[Feathered Wings]

I Believe most of the responses were talking about culling the picker.

I wouldn't personally cull a picked chick it's not their fault and that wouldn't solve the problem
.
I would however remove the one that has been picked to a seperate cage so it has time to recover and heal from being picked.

I allways find which one started the picking and remove them because in my experience pickers never stop.

The peepers is also and excellent choice

Hope everything turns out for the better