Debeaking, also called beak trimming, is often
used in commercial farms to prevent cannibalism and feather-picking. Some sources
recommend it for small flocks as well. It involves cutting off part or all of the top
beak. Some hatcheries de-beak the chicks the day they are hatched. Others debeak their
chickens at the first signs of feather-picking. I do not support de-beaking for a number
of reasons.
|
| 1. Debeaking is painful to the chicken. |
| 2. Debeaking makes foraging very difficult. |
| 3. Debeaking hinders the chicken from normal preening. |
| 4. Debeaking makes eating more difficult. |
| 5. There will always be a chicken at the bottom of the "pecking
order." Cutting off their beaks to prevent them from enjoying their natural instincts
is not necessary. |
| 6. There are other treatments for cannibalism. Good flock management makes
debeaking unnecessary. |
|
| For the suggested treatment and prevention of cannibilism, go to Cannabilism: Prevention and
Treatment |
