question about beak trimming

[thechickenfarmer]

Hi Everybody
I'm in need of some started pullets and I was considering buying from Meyers hatchery. I just noticed their pullets are beak trimmed. I have no experience with this at all. I know it's somthing I wouldn't do to my backyard flock. Here are my questions: Does the beak grow back? Will it cause a problem to have beak trimmed chickens live with my chickens? Is it difficult for them to eat? Thanks, Jen

 

[justusnak]

Well....personally, I wouldnt buy them. They wont grow back,most of the time. They do this to keep them from pecking each other. They will be able to eat and drink normally..but in my opinion, they just look so sad. I have one with a trimmed beak, she is 2 yrs old now, and at the bottom of the pecking order. She just seems so sad.

 

[thechickenfarmer]

That's so sad and exactly what I was thinking. I guess I'll have to try and find some locally. Thanks, Jen

 

[2mnypets]

I've seen some pictures of chickens where their beaks were trimmed too far back and they look like a freak show. Not to mention the fact that since they can't peck hard like the others, those chicks will be on the bottom rung if you know what I mean. They can't inflick a quick "leave me alone or you are really going to get it" peck. I wouldn't get them with trimmed beaks, but that's just my humble opinion.

 

[Lunachick]

I wouldn't get them with trimmed beaks either, but I have two now that are debeaked. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that they would come that way. (ordered pullets come that way).

They are great birds, and I love them. They have no problems eating and drinking, but I feel bad that had to happen to them. In the future I will make sure I get birds that aren't that way.

One of mine has a shovel beak - bottom MUCH longer than the top - she has a little problem with trying to gobble up her grapes, so I hand feed them to her, she manages well.

The other one's beak got trimmed a little better - it's evenly trimmed, top and bottom. She manages better with nibbling. Like I said I LOVE THEM. But I won't do that again.

 

[thechickenfarmer]

Thanks all,
I put an ad on my local craigs list so hopefully someone will have what I need. I completely agree, I think cutting their beaks is not natural.

 

[LindaN]

Hmmmm...I thought the beaks grew back after being trimmed. That's not the case? I just got my pullets a few days ago and was surprised to see that their beaks were trimmed, too. I didn't know the hatchery did that, and I assumed the beaks would grow back in over time. (Sort of like when nails are cut.)

It would be pretty upsetting if that's not the case 'cause I was relying on them to be able to give the dogs a sharp peck if they're being bothered.

If their beaks don't grow back in and get sharper, then they are disabled somewhat. From my observations so far, it takes much more pecking to break up chunky food and it looks like it's harder for them to catch bugs, too.

Can more folks respond here and let me know if it is definitive that the beaks won't grow in?

 

[silkiechicken]

Ok, if the beak is trimmed. It will grow back. BUT, when a hatchery says Trimmed... It is NOT trimmed, but CUT forever to be short. They use a hot iron and cut into the tip of their beaks so that it can never grow back. Basically, if a hatchery says "trimmed" it has been cut and caurarized forever.

 

[LindaN]

Well, I was never given any information that the beaks would be trimmed, cut, whatever. No one said anything to me about that when I ordered the birds. So, how do you tell if the beak is just "trimmed" or if it is cut and cauterized to prevent regrowth?

 

[silkiechicken]

If it is blunt or shorter than the bottom beak, it has been cut. Top beak should hang over the bottom one just a bit. I bet hatchery bird has been cut. Hatchery isn't gong to spend time trimming individual beaks carefully. If you are lucky though, they didn't burn off too much of the tip and it may grow back.