clipping chickens toe nails

[alex]

Hi, is it good to clipp your chickens toe nails? And, if it is, how do you do it? And with what? Thanks!

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We use the same trimers we use on our dogs, and do it just like the dogs. trim just a bit at a time if you go to far back they will bleed, it helps to have something to stop the bleeding hand befor you begin just in case.

 

[alex]

i don't understand? what KIND of trimmers?? And how do you do it?

 

[silkiechicken]

If your chickens get to be outside and scratch in the dirt, they don't need to have their nails clipped. Only if they are caged all day like some show birds, do they need them clipped. You cut them like a dog's nail, meaning you buy a dog nail clipper and snip off the very tip. If you cut too deep though, it will bleed. I've never cut toe nails but my chickens get to scratch in the dirt. I think I saw your post with your chicks in the dirt taking a dust bath? If so you don't need to cut them.

 

[alex]

Oh, ok thanks silkiechicken...i get it. . .yeah shes in the dirt all the time....al day actually. . .i put her out at 3:00 and take her in at 8:00-9:00pm

 

[silkiechicken]

Oh yeah, you wont need to do anything about their nails. That's plenty of time for them.

 

[bantymum]

Hi, I have a white silky x showbird who has really long nails, they just started growing outta site!!
Mine freerange all day so Im confused as she is the only one who has mangaged to grow her nails!!
Shes getting a nail clip after I do my son's!
Different clippers though, i use small dog guillotine ones where you place the nail through the hole and pinch.

 

[greenmulberry]

I have a chicken with very very curved toes, she walks on her "knuckles".

Her toenails are so long, I wonder if I should trim them, but she seems to be getting along fine. I got her as an adult, and she is not friendly enough to pick up without scaring her half to death, so I wonder if it would be worth the "terror" for her.

Her curled toes look really really horrible, but she gets along fine. She kinda waddles like a duck.

 

[NewGuineaChooks]

I got some rescue chickens that had been in wire cages and hobbled around on super long, curly toenails. As I trim them each week, they are starting to walk like regular chickens, and can scratch around for food more and more. They seem to like the change.

So, greenmulberry, If it were my hen, I'd go ahead and start trimming your wild hen's nails. She'll be happier in the long run, and if you go get her from her roost/coop after dark, when she's sleepy, she won't freak out as much.

Edit: ps, if she's already wild, maybe catching her won't make it any worse?

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, if they get long, it is often best to clip them down a bit, long meaning curving to the sides. Maybe the girl has long nails because she can't see and is just lazy! hehe.