Do you think these claws need trimming?

[HollyWoozle]

Hello all from a very warm and sunny UK.

My rescue hens are coming along really well - have had them a month now and they're such characters. My family have had chickens (inc. some other rescues before) since before I was born and have never had to trim any claws, but I'm getting a little anxious that some of the girls' claws look a bit long.

If it needs doing then of course I will tackle it and have read about how best to do it, I was just wondering if anybody thought they might be alright if I left them? They were caged hens until 1 month ago and now they range over a nice outdoor patch (grass but the ground is hard at the minute).

I could only get photos of a few of them, just to give you a rough idea.

Thank you.

 

[snow5164]

I just saw that they were rescued not a great life I’m guessing ,can you give them some branches with bark on them? A brick or two or anything cement? Some sand or gravel?There are many ways to get them to wear down those nails on their own ,

Good luck

 

[coach723]

Some of them look fine, some of them look a bit long. I personally would trim the longer ones, just to minimize them getting them hung up on something and torn or broken off.
I just use large dog clippers like these: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Pet-P...ocphy=9011459&hvtargid=pla-314519922851&psc=1
Even nail scissors would work if the claws aren't too thick. Just try not to cut into the quick, in other words, not too short. Sometimes they will wear down on their own depending on the environment, sometimes I find a few grown long, no telling why.

 

[sourland]

I'd just keep an eye on things. It looks as if they are starting to wear down. If they seem to impede the hen's mobility, I would trim them slightly. Well done on your part for giving these birds a 'life'.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Those look kind of long, I think I would trim them, at least the longer ones. Not a lot but get rid of most of the excess. Chickens keep their claws short and sharp by scratching, obviously those could not the way they were kept. That will change now that you have them.

As Coach said, when things are out of kilter there is a chance they can cause problems. They might be fine as they are but I think it is cheap insurance to trim the worst ones.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you all for your thoughts, very helpful as always!

 

[happyfrenchman]

They are long. These birds were being kept in cages I presume? If that is the case, they lack the normal wear and tear to keep their toes shorter.. If you are letting them out, for a month now, have you seen them getting any better? (they may rectify this on their own). Or you might just give it a start by taking the points off without having to sweat cutting too far/deep. Good work getting these girls out onto the grass and dirt. Welcome to BYC....

 

[Vamper]

I recently got given two sussex hens.. Niw tbey gave settled and i can get close to them, there nails were super long, i trimmed then down and was easy to do with dog nail clippers.