Unsecure chicken perches

[jippy1]

Hi

We have 4 ex bats lovely chickens however they have had their beaks trimmed 1of them has a very long bottom beak and seems to find it hard to eat food , is there anything i can do to resolve this problem eg cutting it or filing it. so they are more equal in length.

Thanks

[Henchanted]

I know what you mean mine came semi de-beaked and I often wonder how they manage.

 

To be honest I don't think other than maybe filing the bottom slightly to smooth the surface, (my hens bottom beaks can split on the side like chapped lips,) making them the same length might not help their eating and might be painful as they say their beaks are sensitive.

 

The only positive thing, (of course thats why its done) is that they do not injure each other when pecking.

 

Sorry I could not be more help.

[Lavenders_Blue]

You can get the bottom beak trimmed but it's unlikely that you will be able to take much off before hitting the quick, so you'll never get it the same length as the top beak. As long as you have a deep enough feeder that she can get her beak right into it to eat, she'll be fine. She's survived a year in a battery cage after all!

 

I'm currently looking after some hens for a friend, one of them has a very long bottom beak and when she's feeling bossy can definitely use it as a weapon - a long bottom beak is great for stabbing into other hens' combs in my experience I can't believe it's still allowed, it doesn't seem to make any difference to bullying whatsoever.

[majuka]

I agree with Lavenders Blue. We've had a couple of girls who have been particularly 'shovel-beaked' as we call it. Our vet mentioned in passing that they do not like cutting them as they can bleed excessively. Just keep an eye on her, you may find that it wears down naturally now that she has more natural surroundings to peck at.

[Patricia W]

One of my ex-bats has a cross over top beak but she copes well. So I'd not worry if they are eating and drinking.