Cutting Your Chicken's Nails

[kevinhannan]

Quote:
lol!

I didn't mean to shock or offend! I would encourage *all* who can handle their animals to do so, if practical.
But your description of your wounds is rather alarming, even if you consider it normal, and I needed to alert
you and others who will read on that tetanus is available. Clearly you knew about this which gives me some
relief (in addition to the engaging and experienced replies you have given others). I appreciate your kind and
considerate reply which shows the wonderful person you are. ;-) Thanks again!

 

[yinzerchick]

I worry more about handling the cart at Walmart than my chickens.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I use a dog nail clipper and have blood stop powder nearby in case of bleeding. Only cut the tips off. Wait 2 weeks and then cut a little more. The quick will recede this way.

 

[navasima]

Quote:

x2

I used my small animal clippers. Careful not to cut too low - cutting the quick can turn ugly with birds. The key? Speed!

The catch -22 is that often, freshly cut nails are just as scritchy as pointy uncut nails. With dogs, I make them walk on the sidewalk a bit; bunnies - use an emery board after I trim; chickens - only let their feet on the leg of my jeans for a bit. Our ground is so hard and rocky that they smooth out after a day or so.....

Good Luck!

 

[ezekielSM]

Quote:

Seconded. I'm always wary of the Walmart cart moreso than the long raised scratches my girls leave behind. I have trimmed the nails on occasion but only when a scratch would be so deep it'd draw blood. (My girls LOVE their cuddles and sure let me know when I haven't!)

I just use scissors- the really sharp ones for crafts.

 

[Animalian]

Do you have a concrete area you could let them run around on? That would make their claws a little blunter

I only cut three of my faverolle's nails, for health reasons. The nails on her fifth toes grow too long and begin to turn back on themselves, I trim them so they don't get caught and ripped out which could cause infection. Also one random outer toenail that grows up instead of down, obviously have to trim that because it's not getting worn down by her walking.

 

[hmmcc123]

Are they long enough to cut? I know that sounds silly but I tried to trim a little off one of my hens nails and I hit the quick. My chickens free range so they do alot of scratching in the dirt and we also have a patio I am sure they scratch on. However, I do have a little gal that was a rescue pullet (now she is a big girl, egg laying hen as of 3 days ago..yay!!) anyways, two of her toes were broken when she was attacked by a dog prior to me taking her in and the toes curl up so they don't touch the ground. I did have to trim those back and had no trouble. It was fast and easy and I did it all by myself however she is kind of a runt and I think she was happy to have it done. BTW-I used the smaller dog nail scissor, (not the guillotine) type. I swear by the scissor type. They are stronger, so it is quicker, they are easier to handle and you can see what you are doing better than with the guillotine type.

I guess my point is, my chickens scratch me too but there isn't any nail to trim back because otherwise I will just cut the quick. I love to handle my girls too and had thought about some kind of long, lightweight suede gloves but it just doesn't seem practical to have to put them on each time I hold them because I hold them alot off and on when I am out working in the yard.

 

[Animalian]

you could try shining a torch 'through' the nails to try and see where the quick is.

My hens have clear nails so I can see the quick easily, I tend to cut around 3mm away from where I think I see the quick ending, just to be safe. Only ever cut the quick once, and that was on her upside down nail.

You would be safe just taking the very tips off. They usually have about 5+mm in front of the quick anyway.

 

[snowbird843]

try using that new nail thing from tv I bought one for my cat and dog . you stick the nail in the slot and the sander inside sands off the nails and my dog and cat don't mind it at all. its really quick and doesn't make a lot of noise so they really don't mind it.

 

[babyrnlc]

I have never had the problem with my older hens, but the chicks do get some sharp nails (I wonder if it is like puppy nails versus adult dog?)

We have a lot of concrete in the back yard and the hens walk on it when the free range, the chicks still stay close to the coop, might be why. I have been thinking about clipping theirs too. Lately they have been flying up on me more often. We got some bcm chicks that think I am momma and fly up to me all the time, so the other girls are jealous I think and have started it up again. (Especially the brabanter and the bo chicks, and my Ancona hen)