What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[purplefowler]

My to new chooks have slightly wonky beaks. I know I should have noticed when I got them, but I was so busy checking everything else that I missed the blatently obvious. Both seem slightly longer at the bottom than the top which is pushing the angle of the top out. They are both a lovely weight and feel healthy and are both eating fine, so I know it isn't any thing major. They have been fed on layers mash and have come from a very large enclosure, semi free range but not on grass (concrete with loads of straw and shavings). What would cause this and will they wear them down in time? Thanks.

[Budgies]

Sad to say it sounds as though they may have been "debeaked".

 

Some places do this to stop feather pecking. The top beak is cut back to prevent the girls getting a good pull on a feather.

 

Maybe someone else who has personal experience of debeaked hens (ex batts mostly probably) can tell you whether they are ever likely to regrow. I'm sure they can eat fine.

[purplefowler]

Thanks for that, that does make sense as it is only the tip of the top beak. As I say it doesn't seem to bother them, they just look abit funny.

[MedusA]

My Gingernut Ranger, Scully (who I got from Omlet), was debeaked. I'm to say that I didn't notice for ages. She is top chook and it doesn't seem to hinder her in any way, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I think that beaks are a little like nails in that they keep growing, yes they will wear downn but may not straighten. the beaks unlike nails though have feeling so you /we should not file them or anything. (poor loves being debeaked)

[purplefowler]

I think that beaks are a little like nails in that they keep growing, yes they will wear downn but may not straighten. the beaks unlike nails though have feeling so you /we should not file them or anything. (poor loves being debeaked)

Cool, thanks, there is hope for my little beakies yet

[cutechic]

I have one just the same, her name is Beaky! She's fine tho, no probs at all with it! Not sure about her being debeaked though, the other 2 from same place are not and we picked them up at 16wks old. Never can be certain tho i guess,

Tina

x

[Budgies]

I have one just the same, her name is Beaky! She's fine tho, no probs at all with it! Not sure about her being debeaked though, the other 2 from same place are not and we picked them up at 16wks old. Never can be certain tho i guess,

Tina

x

 

If she was a pecker, they might have debeaked her but may not do it as standard Tina.

[clucky h]

Hello Purplefowler, my chickens were debeaked when we got them and it looks to me as if they're growing back. Could I be imagining that though?

 

It certainly doesn't seem to have held them back in any way. I'm sure yours will be fine too.

[The Dogmother]

Unless the beaks have been severely trimmed i.e. the growth bed injured, then the ought to grow back. The hen wouldn't have any problem feeding though.

 

I have a hen with a congenital 'crossed beak', I trim it every now and then, but it doesn't bother her at all, she just looks a bit like Henry Cooper!

[purplefowler]

Cool, thanks everyone. They don't mind it at all and it is really just the tip. I kinda wish Elvis had been done, she is a feather plucker. I will probably fit her with a bit instead though.