whats up with her beak? (it is a her right?)

[debbyluvschickens]

I recently bought this hen at a flea market. I guess it is a hen. Anyway, why is her beak like this? It appears to be cut off.
not the best pic, but I have a bum arm at the moment and couldnt catch her to get a better pic. anyway her beak looks like it hs been cut off, not broken because the other 2 Igot from there are the same way, also does her skin look pale to anyoneelse?
by the way, that thing in the background is a towel that was in the chicks carrier. I was worried someone would think it was a bird or something..lol

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Poor little sweetie was most likely debeaked as a chick. I can't really tell from the pic though. She is very pretty.

 

[debbyluvschickens]

why on earth would someone do that? is there a reason for it?

 

[luvmychicknkids]

It is to keep them from pecking each other. It is as cruel and painful as it sounds, too. There are a few threads on here that talk about it. I know some people with debeaked chickens have to keep the food pretty deep so they are able to eat properly.

 

[love-my-wolves]

Awe, poor baby! Such a sweet looking bird though!!! Steph

 

[debbyluvschickens]

I felt bad for her befor, but I really feel bad for her now that I know what hapened to her. Is there a certain type of food she needs to make it easier for her to eat ? That never dawned on me. She is such a sweetie, I was outside sitting on the ground trying to get pictures of my young chicks to put on here(I dont know what they are, but I posted them under the breed category) and she came up to me trying to see what I was doing, them she decided to roost on my shoulder. I have only had her a couple of weeks. I can not get over that...some one intentionally cut all their chickens beaks off so they would not peck each other! Why would they peck each other in the first place?

 

[luvmychicknkids]

If chickens are overcrowded and bored they tend will peck one another and can cause some serious damage. It is generally done for factory farms, but I know with a lot of hatcheries, if you buy a started pullet they will be de-beaked. It really is such a sad thing. I am glad she is with someone who will love and appreciate her. She sounds like a sweetheart. I am not sure about the feed, but I am pretty sure they can eat normal feed alright, just have more trouble picking up any food. I know they can have serious problems catching bugs and worms too. I remember a thread some time ago where a lady was giving her debeaked chicken/s special treats because they couldn't catch their own. She should do just fine, though. Again, I am reallly glad she has you now.

 

[seminolewind]

I have a debeaked buff orp. I was in shock when I got her. But she is the best layer and the most level headed in the flock.
It's a she. I don't know why she was debeaked, that's usually for layers, or meat birds, Polish are lawn ornaments, not really known for their laying ability or brooding. Mine love me, I have 3 females and 2 males. The roo is a very nice one, and his brother is shy, bottom of the pecking order, but the head-roo brother never bothers him.
Just wait, if she' jumping on you already, you will have a very good friend there. They love to have their poof ruffled softly, and mine love it when I put my face down and make kissy noises in their poof. They are very funny too.

Oh yea, food. My orp does best with a bowl. Or make sure the feeder holds the feed deep and wide. Also make sure the water is deep enough too. Otherwise they do pretty well. Mine has learned to eat grass and actually catches a lizard every now and then

 

[debbyluvschickens]

thank you all for the help. I feel so bad for her, I want to run out there and hug her
I think the water pan is fine, but I am going to get a different feeder, I am using a large rabbit feeder and it should be okay, but I would rather know for sure. I have a large plastic bin about 6 inches tall and a foot long, I am going to switch to that.

I have had her for two or three weeks and Ive noticed she hasnt layed any eggs, I only have her and 2 other grown hens and Ive had them the same amount of time and they are both laying now. Do you think she is okay? I am scared I have been neglecting her now, it never dawned on me she might have trouble eating.

 

[seminolewind]

Mine haven't started laying yet either. They are almost 5 months old.
Hens can stop laying or delay laying for a number of reasons, new home, weather, .....
My debeaked orp, well I thought she was eating well with this new feeder I had, turns out I don't think she was getting any feed. So I put it in a bowl, and her face didn't look up for about a half an hour! I felt so bad, but all you can do is watch and make adjustments. It looks like both top and bottom are cut on her . My orp, Clarisse, has the top cut way back, and the bottom cut a little. So her bottom beak looks more like a scoop.
My heart went out to her too. I commited myself to making sure she had a happy life, and I've had her 8 months, and she has no idea that she's any different, LOL. And she demands her oatmeal and yogurt snack every afternoon. She's really vocal when it comes to snacks!