Yet more advice for another problem...

[Albanach]

Morning

I have been keeping a close eye on my 3 hens due to a bout of the sneezes and have been giving them garlic in their water and keeping them warm. It looks as though they are over the worst of it and their appetites seem to have increased as they are now finishing their layers pellets. Some people on this forum suggested returning the birds but I didn't think this would do the birds any good as it may stress them out further.

However, and I know I should have inspected them closely when I first got them 3 weeks ago but I guess I was just happy to finally get them, I have now noticed that 2 of the 3 have their the front portion of their top beak removed. I bought them from a breeder from Irish Fowl who mentioned nothing about this when I collected them.

I feel as though I have been taken as a bit of a fool to be honest and am not sure what to do? I now do not trust the person who sold them to me and because of this I am doubting how old the hens may be. As I've said above they have been ill with the cold which I believe they were carrying before coming here, and 1 hen was laying when she arrived but this has since stopped. They are feeding well and generally scratching and drinking etc.

Does anyone think I should contact the original seller to complain/ return the birds? I am pretty annoyed about this...

Thanks for the help!!

[RichmondHens]

I think this has been mentioned on another thread, but quite a few breeders remove the top tip of the beak to prevent feather pecking which is common in birds who are kept in overcrowded pens. The beak will grow back so it is nothing for you to worry about. It is an indicator however of the conditions the birds were (probably) kept in prior to you getting them so I am not surprised they are exhibiting signs of ill health now. The egg laying stopping will be temporary and will start up again once the birds have settled in and got over their health problems.

What were the conditions like when you went to buy the birds? Were you allowed to wander round and view all the birds at your leisure, or were a "select few" brought out for you to choose from? People who operate the latter system often have something to hide!

[Nicos]

I'd be tempted to talk with them to discuss your concerns.

I was under the impression that beak trimming is done when the chicks are only a few days old .

It sounds like you are doing a smashing job with your sick birds.
Why not plan on keeping them a while longer , but tell the peeps where you got them from that you're not happy and would like the option of returning them in say - a month- if they don't pick up?

I know debeaked birds eat pellets OK- where you planning on free-ranging them??

[Nicos]

We've cross posted RH!...I didn't know the beak regrew....that's good to hear!

Poor things.

[RichmondHens]

We've cross posted RH!...I didn't know the beak regrew....that's good to hear!

Poor things.

Yes, just like our fingernails. But it shouldn't be necessary to trim it in the first place if the chicks/growers are given ample room. Chickens as a rule only peck each other through boredom, and if they have a good sized ranging space then they shouldn't get bored.

[Albanach]

I went to the farm to pick them up and was told there were around 300 birds in total (ducks/turkeys/chickens) at the farm. Some were in breeding pens and others were free ranging in the yard, the RIR Hybrids I got were brought out to me. All the birds I saw looked to be happy enough despite the mucky farm yard, the only thing that worried me was the condition of the "pond" the ducks had.

In terms of free ranging they have access to a 25 metres squared area of grass plus when we are home for the day I open the gate and they can wander round 0.5 acres at their leisure.

[Nicos]

Sounds like they are much better off with you!!

[chris]

Exact same thing happened with mine mate - I posted about that with RH replied to, so I'm guessing that's the post she's referring to.

One of mine (the black rock) has her beak pretty much grown back now - the light sussex's hasn't, but they still eat and drink fine. Just something to be aware of next time eh? I'll definitely make sure that *I* handle the birds before purchasing in the future, rather than just being shown them. You live and learn!