Not sure this is the place for this..hope so

[Doll Maker]

We have a Barred Rock (cross) hen that is about 18 months old. I have noticed lately that she seems to be stepping on her own feet sometimes tipping herself. My hubby picked her up and we looked her over good and the only thing that I noticed was that her toenails are very long and are sort of curving under. Tonight I went to check on them and everyone was on the roost and Spangles was sitting on the lower roost (they usually all sit on the topmost roost). I gently picked her up and set her up between the others and she seemed to have a little trouble getting her toes around the roost. She seems fine otherwise and I suggested that perhaps we should shorten those nails. My husband said he didn't think you should cut a chickens nails. I was wondering, should we or should we not shorten her nails?? She's never been this "fumble footed" before, just noticed it in the past few weeks.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[easttxchick]

You can cut them, but be very careful, if you quick them, they bleed a lot. A bit safer alternative is to file them down(like fingernails)-no risk of quicking!

 

[math ace]

How is everything else with the chicken?

Is it eating ok?

Drinking OK?

How is its poo?

How is it interacting with the other chickens?

 

[Doll Maker]

Quote:
I sometimes use a grinder on the dogs..would that be safe, or better to just use a coarse nail file..like the ones for sculpted nails??
Thanks

 

[Doll Maker]

Quote:
She seems to be fine other than stepping on her own feet now and then, which is why I noticed the long nails.
She eats like a wee piggy and drinks..fresh water every day with vinegar added.
She has nice firm poo and everyone gets along very well. There are only five in the coop now, but they have been coop-mates for over a year now.

 

[easttxchick]

I think either way would be fine for a chicken mani(or would that be pedi?)