Today we trimmed Diamond’s beak. I had been dreading doing this but it turned out to be easy. Diamond had been struggling to pick up the sunflower hearts. She would drop about two thirds and pick up a third. I decided that we really needed to get to grips with this.
I chopped some tomato as a reward for afterwards and chose our biggest nail clippers and an emery board. I picked Diamond up and put her in my husband’s arms to hold firmly.
I then held her beak still with my left hand and snipped a little at a time with my right hand. It was as easy as cutting nails. I then smoothed with the emery board but it didn’t much as it was a straight cut. It was just to make sure there were no snags. I then set her down and tipped the tomato on to the patio area.
At first Diamond seemed to have just as much difficulty picking up the tomato as before but I think that was because she needed to adjust to the different shape of her beak. I then sprinkled some sun flower hearts in the run and Diamond picked them up much more easily. She then had some water and was soon hoovering up the rest of the chopped tomato.
I then put a dish of mash on the patio and Diamond started eating it straight away. I was so pleased to see her eating easily.
I am so glad this is done and that it was easy so that I won’t worry about having to do it again in future if needs be. I hope this will make it much easier for Diamond to eat.
Our special needs chicken has recovered from gape worm, has got used to her specially modified perch and now has had her beak trimmed. While looking after Diamond’s needs I have grown very fond of her.
Diamond has such a lovely nature and seems to take everything in her stride. We sometimes affectionately call her “big bird”. Despite being the biggest girl and top girl Diamond is never aggressive. I only know she is top girl because none of the girls ever give her the, pecking order, peck. Diamond never harasses any of the girls.
Diamond is a lovely girl and I hope that she will soon be feeling more comfortable as she gets used to her changed beak shape.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
So pleased it was easy to do!! She looks much prettier without the hooked beak!
xx
I was relieved at how easy it was. Diamond spent a long time perched up and preening afterwards and I could hear the zip of her feathers. It must be so much easier to preen. I also gave her some cucumber which she made short work of and she picked up the late afternoon seeds much easier. I also agree that she looks prettier. xx
Well done. I’ve had a bumpa bit on my campine Camilla for a couple of months to stop her pulling out her own feathers, and it has meant that her beak grows too long. I tried filing it with an emery board because I was too worried about clipping it, but the emery didn’t really work. Maybe I will try clipping it as you’ve had success.
I was scared of clipping but it was so easy. I thought the beak would be really hard but it wasn’t at all. I then tried filing with the emery board and found that it seemed to be doing nothing at all so soon gave up with that. I really didn’t want to clip but am now so glad that I did and would do it again if needed.
You were brave, and what a good job you made of it. She looks really good.
I knew that I just had to get to grips with it. Diamond is spending so much time preening now. I think she was unable to preen her feathers properly before.
You’ve done a superb job – well done.
Thank you. As often happens I realise now that I should have done it sooner. I won’t let it get that long again. Diamond has been constantly preening since clipping her beak and I now realise that must have been difficult for her. She spends her time eating, drinking and preening, bless her and she makes short work of the apple which seems to be a favourite for her. It is so good to see that I have improved her quality of life once more.