MadMitch Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 (edited) One of my Ixworths top beak is getting quiet long. Is it ok to clip them back a bit and what do you use? Here is a photo. She is out all day but it doesn't seem to wear down. Edited November 4, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Never clipped a chicken's beak but done lots of parrots. I always used a large dog nail clipper. BUT BEWARE there's a blood vessel running down that beak and it's a B****r to stop if you cut too short. If your chook can eat OK then I would leave well alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Yep, i would leave well alone, too, largely out of fear.... it shouldn't really need doing, though... how old is the chicken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Yep, i would leave well alone, too, largely out of fear.... it shouldn't really need doing, though... how old is the chicken? She is 34 weeks. Her beak seemed a lot longer than the others when I got her. I think I will leave well alone then as it doesn't seem to affect her eating at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have found that the beak lengths of each of my girls really differ my Amber Star has a really long curving down beak and when I had my ISA Warren it was really short and stubby. Wouldn't trim it at all unless there is a problem, I prefer to leave things as nature intended. Here is a picture of my Amber Star with her longer beak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I had a chicken with a long bit on the upper beak which didn't meet well and kept getting grass caught in it. I considered filing it with a nail file but it seems to have worn down on grit and the like whilst she's been free roaming. i wouldn't consider clipping for fear of doing some damage or splitting the beak but i wouldn't be averse to giving it a little file if it was causing the hen problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I find a good bit of free ranging sorts out longer beaks. I'd leave it be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I find a good bit of free ranging sorts out longer beaks. I'd leave it be. I agree. If it is really causing her a problem though I'd get the vet to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I have seen this done. Believe me it is not a pretty sight. You need someone to do it who really knows what they are doing. The blood vessel will pump out blood and it then needs cauterising to stop the flow. Get the vet or an experianced poultry expert to do it if you have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
