Debeaking

Kindy · **Joined:** Thu May 09, 2013 8:37 pm **Posts:** 14

Hi, I recently bought two point of lays (an australorp and an isa) and after a few days, I was a disappointed to find that the isa has been debeaked. Not only that, but she clearly has trouble eating and she is also afraid of me.

What are your thoughts on debeaking? I was under the impression that its an old fashioned method that does more harm than good?

Kindy · **Joined:** Thu May 09, 2013 8:37 pm **Posts:** 14

I should add that they were ordered directly from a local produce shop.

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:55 pm

Hi
I have two ex bat hens and they are debeaked. My bat hens are fine- now- I would contact the seller and ask him why they are debeaked and what you should do about it.
Also(just an idea) ask someone who keeps ex battery hens. Maybe they can help
Hope everything turns out ok.

Blak1 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:24 pm

Hi Kindy,

While she's scared of you now, if you move slowly and feed her treats, she will soon get used to you. Try some meal worms - they're good for extra protein and so yummy most hens (even some of my flighty, scaredy ones) will take them from my fingers.

Also try raising a feeder on a brick, or use a 'D' cup so she can scoop the feed easier.

Eldorado Victoria · **Joined:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:12 pm **Posts:** 1

Its a barbaric practice that should be banned I think, the beak never grows back so I agree raise the feed up so its easier for the hens to eat and I would complain the the store as they should have told you

Franklin · **Joined:** Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:05 pm **Posts:** 8

I agree its a terrible practice that should be banned all over the world just terrible and cruel

Kindy · **Joined:** Thu May 09, 2013 8:37 pm **Posts:** 14

Thank you for all the advice. I'm pleased to say that she is no longer afraid of me. In fact, she comes up to me for a pat, which I thought was a bit odd lol. She's doing great eating seeds and pecking at the ground, but still finds it hard to grab larger scraps that I give them.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Debeaking is cruel and barbaric, along with battery hens these practises should be banned.

Lots of TLC and patience are needed for your chookies to gain your trust. Maybe just chop the scraps smaller?

Kindy · **Joined:** Thu May 09, 2013 8:37 pm **Posts:** 14

Thank you Petit Poulet, I absolutely agree. Apparently debeaking is banned in a few countries. It's a shame that it's not in Australia.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

These are The Beaky's, Isa Browns, they were abandoned on our door step last year. Sadly due to our shire's restriction on the number of poultry we could not keep them. They were relocated and rehabilitated with a friend who is a wild life rescuer.

I went to a market in Melbourne yesterday and the hen's for sale there beaks were nothing more than extremely short stubs :cry:

So cruel and so barbaric they shouldn't be sold at all!!!

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