Should I file her beak?

[Alydup]

I noticed my naked neck’s beak is getting a little long. Does it look like it needs to be filed or am I just being paranoid? I don’t think she is having any trouble with it. My flock doesn’t go outside of their coop since winter has set in (by choice) so maybe she isn’t able to peck enough inside? Is there another solution like a cuttle bone?

 

[staceyj]

The short answer is yes!

An overgrown beak makes it hard for them to eat.
Some birds are better than others about beak maintenance, a brick or paverstone on the ground in their run allows them to file it some themselves.

I actually go through my little flock regularly and do a “spa visit” of toenail trimming and beak trimming.

I use a regular “people” nail clipper. I prefer not to use a dognail clipper.
I find I can be much more precise with the human kind just snipping a little tiny bit at a time .

You do have to be careful though since if you trim off too much at one time you can hit the quik and make it bleed.

A strong nailfile works very well on the beak too.

I also find that wrapping them in a towel and sitting them in my lap makes it go much better.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Is she eating and drinking okay? If not, then I would trim or file. Good luck!!!

 

[staceyj]

I noticed my naked neck’s beak is getting a little long. Does it look like it needs to be filed or am I just being paranoid? I don’t think she is having any trouble with it. My flock doesn’t go outside of their coop since winter has set in (by choice) so maybe she isn’t able to peck enough inside? Is there another solution like a cuttle bone?

If you zoom in on your pic... see where it’s a little bit peely? I’d use a smooth nailfile to gently buff that peely area too.