Hook Beak 4 Week Old Pullet

[ANiceKaren]

Hi friends! I have a 4 week old Barred Rock pullet here with what looks like a really long hooked beak!? Should I do anything about this? She seems healthy and eating and drinking with no issues? Will it eventually get smaller? I’ve read articles about using a nail file but is that even necessary if she is eating and drinking fine? Here is a picture of Petunia!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Slightly overgrown. I would file down the tip when she's older if it doesn't improve on it's own, to ensure she doesn't chip/crack it and can continue to eat and drink without issue.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Slightly overgrown. I would file down the tip when she's older if it doesn't improve on it's own, to ensure she doesn't chip/crack it and can continue to eat and drink without issue.

Thank you! How old would you suggest doing that? Nail file?

 

[Percheron chick]

Give her a nice big rough rock (even a brick) to hone her beak on.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would wait until she's closer to adulthood to do maintenance. I do have bricks and rocks in my run for honing, but some birds turn out to still need some help. I keep a coarse nail file on hand for use on the chickens.

 

[yakitori]

I find that if you give them mash, they will obsessively wipe their beaks after wards. So you could try that instead of dry food, so that they will need to to clean their beaks. (provide a rough rock or something next to the food)

 

[ANiceKaren]

I would wait until she's closer to adulthood to do maintenance. I do have bricks and rocks in my run for honing, but some birds turn out to still need some help. I keep a coarse nail file on hand for use on the chickens.

Thank you!