clipping feathers around wounds/injuries?

[lhammer1979]

I'm thinking I should clip the feathers around my hens wounds/injuries? Is this safe? What is the best way to do this? Any suggestions, information greatly appreciated as I am very new to all this, but I have fallen in love with my hens!

 

[chickengirl778]

The only problem I can think of is that some feathers have blood in them, which can injure the girls. Not sure what the solution is.....

 

[lhammer1979]

The only problem I can think of is that some feathers have blood in them, which can injure the girls. Not sure what the solution is.....

I definitely don't want to hurt them....

 

[coach723]

You can trim feathers around wounds to keep them out of it and help prevent infection. Unless they are newly growing feathers (blood feathers) they will not bleed. Once feathers are fully formed the blood supply is withdrawn. Just use a small pair of scissors to trim back as needed, many use blunt school scissors to be sure they won't accidentally poke the bird, small nail scissors work well also. In the unlikely event that a feather bled you could just pluck that one out and stop the bleeding with pressure, I doubt that will happen, and it won't hurt cutting them, the only nerves are in the skin at the base.

 

[lhammer1979]

You can trim feathers around wounds to keep them out of it and help prevent infection. Unless they are newly growing feathers (blood feathers) they will not bleed. Once feathers are fully formed the blood supply is withdrawn. Just use a small pair of scissors to trim back as needed, many use blunt school scissors to be sure they won't accidentally poke the bird, small nail scissors work well also. In the unlikely event that a feather bled you could just pluck that one out and stop the bleeding with pressure, I doubt that will happen, and it won't hurt cutting them, the only nerves are in the skin at the base.

Thank you! I may give it a whirl... scared to death though!

 

[coach723]

Honestly it won't hurt the bird, just like it doesn't hurt to get a haircut.

 

[lhammer1979]

may try this week, they let us hold them so it shouldn’t be too hard. I think I’ll use the blunt scissors though, definitely wouldn’t want to poke them and injure them more!