percy049 Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Bessie, our 3 1/2 year old ex-free range hen, has a lower beak that is about 2-3mm longer than her upper beak. We were wondering if it was stopping her eating, as her crop is often empty. Do you think it needs trimming (and if so, we would have it done at the vets)? Her beak had been clipped when we got her, at her previous farm. We recently discovered the girls had lice, so we have used johnsons anti mite, twice last week, and has got rid of them. Bessie was the only hen to have lice egg cases (they look empty) around her vent, and are still there after they spraying. How do we get them off? (washing perhaps?) Also, their feed has recently been changed from pellets to omlet's organic food. We did this over a couple of weeks, but I dont think this would make a difference. They have been recently wormed with flubenvet. My mum said Bessie has been sitting down a lot today, we have checked for swelling but found none. Is it due to her old age? I dont think shes been very happy about 4 young hens running about the place, squawking their heads off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I'd leave the beak unless she has problems eating or it crosses over and gets really long on one side. I have a hen with a crossed beak and I get it trimmed every 6 months or so. The quick is really near the end so I leave it to the vet as they have a silver nitrate pencil to stop the bleeding. You'll not get the eggs off in a hurry, they are stuck hard to the feather; either cut the feathers off or leave them to gradually wear off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
