Is her beak overgrown? If so how do I trim it?

[FattySmough]

For the longest time I thought Pepper my polish pullet had a crooked beak, but now that the beak has grown more I think the top beak is actually just overgrown. If that's the case, how do I trim it back to normal without hurting her? I haven't done this before and I don't have any specialized tools for it. Thanks in advance.

 

[WIchickMama]

We have a Polish, Hazel, with the same thing--longer top beak. Our vet (who also has chickens) told us to use a Dremel tool to shorten it up.

 

[FattySmough]

I've heard of using a Dremel tool as well, but I can't afford one at the moment. I'm wondering if there's any ordinary things that work, such as toenail clippers. Or something like that.

 

[LaFleche]

And while you are at it, trim back her head fluff as well to allow for unobstructed view.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cheapest, easiest option - a coarse emery board. I recycle old ones from my nail care routine but you can buy them for a buck from a beauty supply store. Just file it back as you would a long fingernail. Keep an eye out for the opaque quick in the center of the beak, and stop trimming before that point.

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

my unknown breed hen, aerial, has the same thing. can your hen still eat and drink? if so, it's ok to leave it, I haven't done anything to my bird and she's fine. I am more concerned about that beautiful head floof that your poor girl can't see through!

 

[rosemarythyme]

can your hen still eat and drink? if so, it's ok to leave it, I haven't done anything to my bird and she's fine.

There is a higher potential for breakage and cracking with overgrown beaks, so just something to consider as far as trimming/not trimming.

 

[FattySmough]

Cheapest, easiest option - a coarse emery board. I recycle old ones from my nail care routine but you can buy them for a buck from a beauty supply store. Just file it back as you would a long fingernail. Keep an eye out for the opaque quick in the center of the beak, and stop trimming before that point.

Thank you! That's the info I was looking for. I would rather not pay 60 dollars for a dremel tool. I can easily see where the quick is so I know where to stop trimming.

There is a higher potential for breakage and cracking with overgrown beaks, so just something to consider as far as trimming/not trimming.

It's not terribly long yet so I think I'll just trim it now. I would rather not have a piece of her beak crack off unexpectedly. Even if she temporatily hates me for grinding down her beak lol.

 

[FattySmough]

my unknown breed hen, aerial, has the same thing. can your hen still eat and drink? if so, it's ok to leave it, I haven't done anything to my bird and she's fine. I am more concerned about that beautiful head floof that your poor girl can't see through!

She seems to eat and drink just fine, but I'll likely trim the beak anyways. Regarding her head floof I actually trimmed around her eyes a while back, but the feathers are growing back so fast! Getting her to keep her head still is soooo very difficult. It's a shame her crest needs trimming, it really is so beautiful

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! That's the info I was looking for. I would rather not pay 60 dollars for a dremel tool. I can easily see where the quick is so I know where to stop trimming.

It's not terribly long yet so I think I'll just trim it now. I would rather not have a piece of her beak crack off unexpectedly. Even if she temporatily hates me for grinding down her beak lol.

They'll get over it. For some of my birds it's a regular routine. I slacked on it and ended up with a broken beak a couple months ago (thankfully it broke right before hitting the quick).