My very first had it. I let it shrivel up on it's own it took a good 2-3 days for it to shrivel up and then I cut it off by the belly. But he was an only chick, so I didn't have to worry about other chicks pecking at it.I have seen a lot of people ask this and folks always tell them to let nature take its course. It will fall off. I have never had it so I'm not sure how long.