The Poultry Keeper

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Can anyone explain to a thickie how a beak bit is fitted? I want to put bits on two of my older birds for a few days to stop them damaging the new girls, but I'm not sure how they go on.

Do I just slide it between the beak? How do I clip the ends into the nostrils without a)causing discomfort, or b)suffocating them Shocked

Any advice appreciated Very Happy

Knobby · Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:01 pm Post subject:

I'll have a look in my book !

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Cheers Knobby, any info would be great Very Happy

Knobby · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 7:49 am Post subject:

I had a look in my books, but none of them say exactly how you fit them Mad

All i can see from the diagram is, that the open bits, fit into the nostril ?

Does that sound right ?

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

They aren't easy to fit, but you have to try and pull the open bit apart as you slide the bottom between the beak.

Then get the 2 ends into the nostrils, it looks really uncomfortable for them, but they soon get used to it, If you don't get it in right they just fall out again

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Thanks both. You're right about how they fit Knobby, but like George pointed out, I fear it might not be as simple as it looks Shocked

All is quiet on the garden front atm, so I'll leave them to it for now and try to do without the bits I think Rolling Eyes

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3412 Location: Monmouthshire

There's a lot to be said for putting the bird into a strong drawstring bag,only leaving the head out, so at least you haven't got to contend with flapping and scratching!

Lisa · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:09 am Post subject:

That's a very good idea Henwife Very Happy

I've tried wrapping mine in a towel before for the same reason when I've had to give them medicine (ie to control the flapping and scratching) but they usually manage to unwrap themselves Rolling Eyes

coco · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 319 Location: Northants

We've tried the towel trick too,Lisa, but with little joy. Ended up putting the medicine (Baytril, I think it was) onto a small piece of bread. The bread was devoured at high speed and the job was done.

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

I shall remember that tip Henwife, next time I'm trying to clean a mardy hen's feet - I had to wrap Twizzle (your Maran, best layer we've got) tightly up in a towel today in order to wash her cut foot - she repaid me by trying to peck my eye out Evil or Very Mad

Well, her head was the only bit that was still mobile, so it's no wonder she was peed off with me... Rolling Eyes

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3412 Location: Monmouthshire

If you can get her foot completely dry - trusty hairdrier again- paint the cut with NewSkin, which will seal it. I use it for cracks in my fingers, stings briefly, but once dried means I don't get dirt in and don't have a mucky plaster to annoy me. Most chemists seem to have it - you may even have it already in your first aid box.

Lisa · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 9:25 am Post subject:

That's a another good way for dealing with small nicks in chickens feet etc...

What happens to the NewSkin eventually? Does it just gradually disappear (rub off, wash off etc) or come off in one piece?

I wouldn't want to use if on anything where infection might be inside (like a bite or puncture wound) but for a clean cut, that you have washed and dried, that would be ideal.

Another top tip Henwife Very Happy

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

That sounds like a great product! I've never heard of it before, but I've got to go into town tomorrow, so I'll see if Boots stock it.

It's got to be better than constantly trying to soak her foot in a bowl... Rolling Eyes

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3412 Location: Monmouthshire

It either wears off, or I pick it off, or you simply apply a bit more, which disolves the original lot and you can just wipe it off.

Lisa · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject:

I'd not heard of it either Fenn - I guess Boots are gonna have a rush on it tomorrow then Laughing