Alis girls Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I know you will all tell me off - DON'T Please I cant help it. Our new hen a bog standard Maggie May has a strange beak in that the bottom part protrudes a bit more than the top. She eats and drinks ok is laying already - just makes her look for want of a better word er simple. Sadly I fell in love with her - she has the ginger feathers with lots of white on her - white legs and is happy to be picked up - unlike my other 2 who are lovely but madams!! OH read that beaks could be trimmed. Question is - as I dont feel confident enough to do it myself - will it wear down or should I ask my vet to do it. I probably should have asked at the farm. I am sure I am not the only one to buy a hen who isnt for want of a better word perfect. Please dont tell me off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Busy time of day for most of us. I'd leave it and see how it goes. If she is eating and drinking without difficulty, then it is just a matter of aesthetics, and personally, I wouldn't tinker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 We have one with a top beak which grows faster than the bottom beak. We've gently trimmed it with nail clippers a couple of times when we noticed she seems lighter than the others. However, I'd take Egluntyne's advice first and see if she is eating and drinking as normal first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I've read that beak trimming can be painful for chickens, so I agree with what's already been said, if it's not causing any issues with her health and wellbeing then leave it. My has a hook beak but it wears down gradually from scratching about doing chickeny things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I had a bluebelle that has a beak like that. She was fine and I just left her to it. She couldn't pick up small treats from a hard surface as quickly as the others but otherwise she was quite happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 My had her beak trimmed, she had a big underbite when I got her. The bottom part of her beak looked like it might be growing a bit up and sideways, if that makes sense. I was also advised to leave it and I did. Her upper beak has grown back some and it's all straight now. It probably won't ever be the same as my other two's perfect beaks, but it gives her character She has no trouble eating, even pecking corn off the cob, which is their favourite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alet_chicken Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Have had 2 ex-batts who came out of the cage with huge (and wonky) underbites, and was advised to leave them be as long as they could eat and drink without difficulty. Trimming the beak is likely to be very stressful for the hen (and she will struggle A LOT), so my advice would be to leave her be as long as she is happy in herself. You may well find that the bottom half of her beak will wear itself down with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 If she's not struggling I would leave her be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izzys-hens Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 If you have only just brought her, it could be that they debeaked her, its when they trim the top beak to stop cannabalism and bullying in large group numbers, my first lot of hens had thiss done, it never affected them. I dont no whether your chicken has had this done or not but if you hen can still eat and drink fine and seems happy in herself i would worry about doing anything, as it may make her very stressed if you did try to trim her beak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 We've seen quite a few with chipped beaks as youngsters. If it is uneven rather than neat like it has been trimmed it has probably just broken off. It may grow back a bit, or maybe not, but there is no need to worry if she can feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Thanks and sorry to be impatient - i eat my toast whilst catching up on omlet and wanted a reply befor I left for work - apologies EGT . I wasnt worried as she can eat and drink and I like her nature - shes pretty apart from beak but if it causes probs will speak to the vet whose wife has chucks. I dont want to cause any stress to her. thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picasso08 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 My gingernut ranger has a funny beak as well I was concerned at first but she eats and drinks ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
