Good morning,

[janej1957]

Hi there,I was wondering if anyone knows if I could file down or clip baby chicks beaks so they can not peck at each other.ty jj

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Clipping beaks is not recommend as it can cause issues with eating and drinking. If you have babies that are pecking at each other in the brooder, they are either too cramped in, over heating, hungry or thirsty. Babies and adult chickens turn on each other when they are uncomfortable. So you you need to expand your brooder to at least 1/2 square foot per bird and as they grow, they will need even more room. For week old hatchlings you need to start your temp around 95 degrees. You want to keep the heat off to one side and the food and water off to the other side so not only do they have to leave the heat to get to the goods, but this will cause there to be cool spots in the brooder for the chicks to cool off. Keep the thermometer on the floor, directly beneath the heat source. And use a red or infra-red bulb. White lighting can cause too much excitability and aggression. Do not cover your brooder with anything but a screen or wire to allow good heat and oxygen exchange.

Lower your temp by 5 degrees each week there after for 6 weeks. I have found that at any time during brooding if you are going all these things right and still have aggression, by lowering your temp about 3 or 4 degrees at this time, and working it down from there each week, the aggression will stop.

Also...make sure they all have access to food and water and are not competing for it. For the first few days, lay paper towels down and sprinkle food all around the feeder on the floor so they can find the feed. Dip everybody's beaks in the water so they know where the water is. Babies fight, cry and fuss when they are hot, cold, hungry, thirsty, cramped or sick.

You might want to do some reading in our learning center here on BYC for lots of good tips and hints on raising your new brood...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Great to have you aboard and good luck with your new babies!

 

[janej1957]

Thank you Two Crows,it makes sense,we will give that a try.

 

[roostersandhens]

x2 on what TwoCrows said. Plus, beak cutting is an extremely painful process.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Chicks pecvck - it's how they explore their world and determine what is edible. TwoCrows has given great suggestions.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

G.Q.F. who makes incubators actually makes a sell's a set of
clippers just for that purpose but it is permanent and disfiguring
to the chick and more for the operation of raising many chickens
in a confined area with the intent of fast growing and harvesting

 

[drumstick diva]

Cutting the beak is very painful, disfiguring, makes it harder for the birds to eat and takes away their source of protection.