puffball Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Hey Omleteers! We got four new chickens yesterday - the only original left is puffball (the one in my username!) One of the new ones is a hybrid and her bottom beak is quite a bit longer than the top beak. Are we able to cut/crop the bottom beak back so that they are the same length or would this hurt her? (in case of her tongue etc) If we are able to crop it then what tool do we need to do this properly? Also would we need to continue doing this often or would it permanently be the same length? This is probably more for aesthetic reasons than health but all your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Personally, if this was my chook, if she is OK eating and drinking, I would leave as is. If it is affecting her eating, I would probably seek a vet opinion. Doesn't sound like something that should be done by an amateur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Ok thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 It isn't uncommon. I'd leave it, or you risk leaving her in pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Ok She will be a bit more quirky than the other hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txswanie Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I have a Gingernut with a short top beak. It came from Omlet like that, someone had trimmed it. Perhaps your chickens beak was trimmed before you got her. Must admit I was freaked at first and thought that she would be unable to eat, peck etc. She is the quietest of the chickens but not sure if this is connected, probably not. I would just leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Hi, my gingernut had a wonky beak and it was also shorter than the bottom. The old owner had cut there beaks to stop them from pecking feathers off other birds (thats what they said) since they was in a coope with about 20 other hybrids. she eats and drinks fine. Leave it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 One of my bluebelles has a bit of a 'bulldog' beak Slows her down a wee bit when it comes to competing with the others for mealworm but apart from that it doesn't cause her any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101fc Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 hi it sounds as though you hen was debeaked to stop feather pecking. My friend works at a commercial poultry place and they used to do it to all their birds. If she's eating a drinking fine then if it were me i'd leave her alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 21, 2010 Author Share Posted May 21, 2010 Thanks for all your help guys, I think I'll just leave her to get on with it - definitely not worth the risk of clipping it - plus it sounds as though her beak won't cause her any issues anyway which is brilliant!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Rita and betty both have funny beaks, but still manage to gobble up food fastest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
