The Poultry Keeper

Paula · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Northants

Can anyone please tell me is it safe to clip a hens beak, it is rather long and has started to split up the middle. i would guess it is like clipping dogs nails, only clip off the bit that has no veins, is this correct. any info would be much appreciated.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think what you're saying is right, but how would you stop it from splitting upwards as you tried to snip it?

skye girl · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 638 Location: Isle of skye

If you can file it down until you get pass the split area then you can clip it with dogs nail clippers, if you have a dogs nail file that will do it, one of are nail file really is not strong enough,maybe a file out of your hubby's tool kit would work, what ever you use be very careful not to split the beak anymore, if you are not confident doing it take the bird to the vet and watch them doing it and you will know how to do it next time, it will be a cheep lesson also could cost you a lot more if the vet has to sort out a split beak plus the discomfort to the bird

mojo · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:58 pm Post subject:

plus several layers of clear(NOT RED) nail varnish will stop the split spreading(hens peck at red)

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Excellent suggeston, Mojo, I was thinking you should be able to put something on it, but didn't think an elastoplast was the answer somehow!

mojo · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject:

but NOT coloured varnish

Paula · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Northants

Thanks for your help, will see how it goes and let u know, it surprised me as the beak didn't look that long, but it must be long on this particular hen, thanks again

Diane · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 274 Location: Dorset

I read somewhere that a vet stuck a toucan's beak back on using superglue.

Paula · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Northants

Done it, the end was very soft like a finger nail that had been soaking for ages, no problems and she is as happy as larry

CP · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject:

That's good news Paula. Smile

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Well done Paula ~ rather you than me though.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2240 Location: North Cornwall

I also have one that i think needs her beak clipped. I have some toenail clippers, do you think they would do the job.

Do you clip it straight or try and shape a point?

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

I suppose you'd have to try for a natural shape - ie, slightly pointed?

I've got a pair of wire snips that were bought specifically for clipping the bird's claws and it works very well. It's easier to snip a little bit at a time, because you can see exactly what you're doing.
I expect dog claw clippers would work quite well, as they hold the nail (beak!) in the right position as you clip.

Paula · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Northants

i did one side then the other and shaped it, i used dog nail clippers and they worked great, the hardest part was keeping her head still as she didn't like to have a hand on her head, i just took a little at a time, but the end of her beak was very soft so it was easy. good luck