Help need opinions on debeaking

[bj taylor]

to give the hatchery the benefit of the doubt, it may be the same as trimming my dog's nails to take that extra little hook off the end of their beak. i just don't understand the necessity unless you intend to crowd them. after all these previous posts you might give them a call, ask to talk to "manager" or whoever and ask them to explain why they would recommend such a practice. it might help you decide if you want to order from them for repeat business or not.
i know nothing in the chicken world, but that certainly raises a red flag.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

It most definitely does not mean a little beak trim: it is used specifically for hens that are in battery cages or crammed into chicken houses for commercial production methods and is completely unnecessary for backyard poultry, not to mention cruel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debeaking

 

[bj taylor]

how utterly hideous! horrific! monstrous!

 

[StarLover21]

I understand that you didn't know, but

to the hatchery! That's aweful they would suggest that! It's not like getting your fingernails trimmed, it really hurts them and is horribly inhumane.

 

[Nslangton]

That is terrible!!! I feel sick after seeing those pictures. Thanks had no idea. I am picking up the chicks next week, with all of their beaks intact!!!

 

[bucky52]

Last year i Ordered three 20 week old pullets from a local farm service.I was new at raising chickens.When i went to pick up my chickens i was shocked.they had been debeaked.i felt so sorry for them and thought they looked horrible.They eat fine.But they are sweet and very friendly and pretty hens.i would not recommend it at all.

 

[bucky52]

i just seen the pictures thats horrible.

 

[heath_elisha]

We purchased some 6 week old EE chicks from a person on craigslist. She had some debeaked from Ideal - I was shocked, saddened, and uneducated about it all. Thought to myself " it'll grow back". Well- after getting home and doing research, I was saddened to learned that that is not the case. Some of the chicks had the top and bottom done- not too short either. Others had just the top done- looks silly. Poor things.... they seem to eat just fine though.

Tan one has just the top done
White one had both done



Another shot of just the top done


Both white birds had top and bottom done



The one in the middle had just the top done

 

[Beka123]

Ugh. Another excellent reason to grow your own food. They may be for the table but at least you are giving them as good of a life as they can have, and NOT supporting practices like this... Ugh. So glad you are not getting them debeaked!

 

[Marthab1953]

I have had thousands of chicks in my lifetime and have never had them debeaked I think it is cruel! Very seldom do they pick on each other, unless they are crowded, overheated, bored etc. Home raised chickens in my opinion should never be debeaked.