Clipped beaks

[countrymom22]

This morning I bought 8 pullets, 28 weeks old from a woman that it turns out I knew over 25 years ago. Didn't realize it was her when hubby answered her ad. Anyway, we spent a little time visiting and then went into a dark horse barn, took a quick look at what she had available, packed up 8 and headed home.

When we got home, we realized that some of the chickens have had their beaks clipped. Just 3 of them I think. I don't like this practice, and have never had chickens like this before. They are healthy and have already laid 2 eggs. Has anyone had success free ranging chickens like this? I do free range daily and am wondering how they will make out.

Next time I will be raising my own from day old chicks to avoid this. I know it's my fault, as I should have asked, but I have honestly not come across this before.

[wally]

I have hen that has deformed beak, she can't pick up scratch and has trouble eating. It's okay with me as she ended up being a good egg layer.

[countrymom22]

Yeah after catching a couple of them today, I decided they are not cut they seem like a variation of wry beak. They are definitely distorted and some of the top beaks appear shorter than the bottom but they also twist. About 4 of the 8 seem to be affected. But I've already gotten 3 eggs from the this morning, so I'll do some research and see if there is anything I can do to help or at least make sure they can eat adequately.

As an interesting side note: After posting here last night I sat down to read the local paper and the woman I bought the chickens from was interviewed. In the interview she mentioned that she buys the chickens she sells at 8-10 weeks old and grows them out to 24 weeks before selling them. I hope she didn't notice the beaks on these birds and not that she was trying to stick me with deformed chickens. Either way, I won't buy from her again. I'll be raising my own day old chicks no matter how busy I am!