'debeaked' chickens...

[alexline]

I think cutting beaks should be illegal! People can be so mean and STUPID

it doesn't even bother the chick that is if you don't hit the nerve in the beak

 

[alexline]

I think cutting beaks should be illegal! People can be so mean and STUPID

it doesn't even bother the chick that is if you don't hit the nerve in the beak

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

While it's not a practice that makes me happy, I do have some debeaked hens that I buy as pullets, simply because they cost about half as much to buy started pullets as to raise a chick myself. I don't have a choice whether they are debeaked or not (and I've asked), and the majority of the hens are destined for large "cage-free" layer barns. They don't have a bit of trouble eating or drinking or free-ranging and chasing bugs. I figure that the hens that come live with me are the lucky ones.