Do people trim or file nails on their hens?

[happyhencamper]

My Grandmother used to say: A lazy chicken has long nails. I have a 6 year old with nails so long she tore one off. Most of the 6 yr olds nails seem to long. I just got 6 new babies. Should I be doing something to their nails from the start or let nature take care of it with scratching?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Some chickens are great at scratching and this will take care of their nails. Other chickens aren't so great. I made my chicken run on top of concrete blocks so the chickens can scratch on those if needed. I do have a nail clippers if I need to use them. You don't have to do any clipping until they are older and the nails are long.

 

[happyhencamper]

Thank you. Do they have a quick like dogs and other birds? How will I know how far back to go? Of course the one with the real long ones that had one break off is not one that likes to be handled

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes they have quicks, just as a dog's nail would.

I have bricks and concrete blocks in my run for my chickens to scratch at, but yes you may occasionally have a bird that needs help with trimming.

If you're nervous about cutting with a trimmer (a dog nail trimmer works fine) you can also use an emery board to file it down.

 

[CluckerFamily]

You can grab some blood stop at your local farm store to use if you accidently nip the wick. I always have it on had for the chickens and dogs.
You could trim a little off the nails each night or every other night.
You will cause less stress if you do this at night when she is roosting and you have a head lamp on.

 

[happyhencamper]

Great idea thank you