cutting hens toenails??

[tuffy]

I just noticed one of my hens has very long toenails. Should I be cutting them? I have 16 hens and a rooster. They all free range during the day and not all of them have nails that long (1 inch) Do they have a quik like a dog? Thanks

 

[Mrs.Puff]

yes, you should cut them.. Use a dog nail clipper, and yes they do have a quick. If you hit the quick, they will squawk a lot and it will bleed, but it won't hurt them too bad.

 

[Chickenaddict]

If you happen to cut to the quick and they do bleed you can dab cornstarch on the area and it should stop the bleeding. If you don't cut their toenails their feet and nails can become deformed and cause problems for them.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Shouldn't their scratching wear off their nails enough? I have never had a chickens nails get to long. Just curious thanks.

 

[allmypeeps]

Maybe she isnt a huge digger? maybe the earth she is digging is too soft? maybe she has extra strong nails for some reason so do not wear down as easily as the others....

 

[swedishfish]

so how far back do you cut the nails? I don't have a dog nail clipper either (never clipped my dogs nails - didn't know you were supposed to) so what should I do?

 

[allmypeeps]

just snip a tiny bit off until you see a small dot in the center of the nail- this is usually the tip of the quick.

If you cut too much it will bleed- press cornstarch into it and then use the nail you cut too short as a guide for the other nails!

I am a dog groomer so I usually just sense where it is and snip- rarely do I have an accident

GOOD LUCK!!!! make sure someones holding the bird still!