Beak trimming

Colleen Kinzie · Post by **Colleen Kinzie** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 5:15 pm

Got a few layers from Pullwts Plus a week ago
Some beaks are fine
Others bottom beak is quite a bit longer
Can I trim bottom beak?
Or better off to leave it?

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:09 am

Can they eat fine? If so I'd say leave it. Most beaks will grow back.

Colleen Kinzie · Post by **Colleen Kinzie** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:54 am

Sandy. Yes they can eat fine as long as feed is in the feeder. Can't pick up scratch off the ground though
I guess they've survived this long
I HATE when they trim that short!

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:11 am

I am with you Colleen. I have some that was so short their tongues stuck out when I got them. They never grew back entirely, but at least the tongues aren't hanging out anymore.

Terrible look on a chicken.

If they can eat I would leave it alone. Others may differ. Hooefully it grows back so scratch etc can be enjoyed.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:23 am

If the beak top and bottom were even, she could pick up food more easily- but I'm not sure how far back you could trim without causing pain or the beak to bleed. Might be worth trying to take a little off to see if she can eat better. The bottom beak might continue to grow , since it's not worn down naturally against the top beak.

kenya · Post by **kenya** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:02 pm

Leave it alone, if she can eat she's fine.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:12 pm

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:55 pm

I noticed that some of my older girls have a long upper beak.
I "Googled" & watched Many videos on how to trim a beak.
It's not that difficult, & "less is Best" because you can always do it again if needed.

I have the procedure down pat now & the girls are OK with it.
- Have a really good light, Good eyeglasses, Toe nail cutters & Emery board.
- Have a towel to wrap bird, some thing to stop bleeding, & comfortable chair.

Wrap bird, hold head between your fingers, eyes might be covered but that's ok.
- with clippers cut Beak about 1/8 of an inch flat across the front.
( do Not cut deep, white is usually ok, but Never anything with pink color)
- next trim to shape each side so there is no flat edges.
- give a few strokes with emery board to fix any sharp edges.
Give her a treat after for being SO brave!

The 1st time took me maybe 20 minutes, but now I can trim a beak in about 5 minutes.
I only do it if it is impairing the bird from eating properly.
"IF" it was my bird....I Would trim the lower beak "just a bit"
Just to make it a bit easier for her to do Chicken stuff.
She could pick worms then ~ but she will be fine if you do Not trim.

"Google" & watch a few videos, "one day" you may Need to trim. Good Luck (*o*)

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:49 pm

I have the old version of the pedi paws dog nail trimmer that runs on 2 C batteries. its basically a dremmel tool with a safety guard. works great, fast and easy on nails and beaks. but i say the old one as they have somehow changed the design which now has terrible reviews with some people saying they had the old one and it worked great while the new one sucks. dont buy it.

Post by **Killerbunny** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 4:19 pm

We use the human variety AMOPEDI from SS. It grinds down spurs and all a treat. You need to get the coarse one.