Re: EGG EATING and beak trimming


" Jill" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:71i7fvFlegssU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
dghealy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I checked the archives and did not find the answer I wanted.

I have 2 spring '08 bantams eating eggs. Ive put them in a cage. I am
fairly confident they are the only 2. I think they made the discovery
when I had some eggs freeze and crack this winter.
A friend mentioned that trimming their beaks could stop this. This
assumes trimmed beaks cant break eggs. Any advice. and how do I trim
beaks.
Oh, the things we do for chickens.

Trimming their beak is not done "for the chicken"
Its something done by professionals, in the first 10 days of life, in
intensive situations to prevent bullying. Its not something for any
amateur, its not something to do to adult birds who will suffer, and its
not something for domestic birds.

If your birds are egg eating look at their diet, their genetics, and their
environment.
Egg eating is rarely a habit formed from an occasional lucky broken egg.
I have thrown dirty eggs out of houses to our birds for YEARS without them
becoming egg eaters.

Its much more likely that they are coming towards their first real laying
time without the resources to do so.
Balanced high quality nutrition, with an good calcium source, plenty of
greens, and plenty of space is just as likely to cure it, that and booby
trapping a few eggs with chilli, curry, etc which Most find a deterrant.

Egg eating can be a lack of calcium, a lack of protein and general
nutrition,and boredom.

I've had egg-eaters without any of the above.

There are always a few birds who adore curried eggs :)

Blowing and filling eggs with chilli or curry does not usually work. What
does is fitting them with a "beak bit" it's a plastic device that fits on
their beak and it's rounded so if they peck an egg it will not break. It
also stops them feather-picking as they cannot get hold of a feather without
that sharp beak.
They can eat and drink adequately with it and they don't have to wear it for
ever. 8 weeks or so will usually break either habit in my experience. It
works extremely well too for those hens who peck the vents of the others.
They can still do it but it will not cause any damage if they are fitted
with a beak bit.
I bought some and used them. They worked. They are stored in the cupboard
for the next egg eater or feather pecker.

Tina



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