Lower Beak has overgrown the top!

[showdoggy]

So I'm new here, and Agnes' (this particular hen) lower beak has overgrown the top. We don't know what age she is, but she looks quite old. We have our flock for about 3-4 months now, and she is the only one with this problem. How will I trim it?

 

[Percheron chick]

If you have a Dremel, just make one or two quick passes over the lower beak. You can use dog toenail clippers as well but it's too easy to take off too much and hit the blood supply. An aggressive emery board will work too. Just take off a little even if it's once every week or two until you get it down to where it's slightly shorter than the top. It's just like trimming dog toenails. Just remove the white tip without a blood supply. I give mine large rocks in their run to hone their beaks on themselves.

 

[newpioneer75]

I had no idea that beaks will "over grow", is this a common thing? How big are the rocks you put in the run?

 

[Percheron chick]

It's not common unless you have a crossbeak than you're trimming them monthly. You will see your chickens wiping their beaks on the ground, rocks, wood...they are trimming (honing) their own beaks. I give mine 6" flat rocks. Some like the rocks, some like the wood ramp and most like the dirt.

 

[newpioneer75]

I have noticed them scraping side to side on the ground. Thanks for the bit of knowlege. I never knew that.