question: clipping chicken toenails?

[Chicabee19]

I noticed a thread about some sad recovered chickens that were received with very long toenails.

Is regular clipping required, or were these birds somehow unable to act in ways that naturally keep their toenails short?

thank you!

D.

 

[silkiechicken]

If birds are not caged and can have gravel to scratch in or are outside, no clipping necessary. Most clipping must be done to show birds kept on soft litter or up off the ground most their lives because they can't scratch to wear it down.

 

[mypicklebird]

Birds kept in wire cages can't wear their toenails down, and some disease like scaly leg mites cause scales and nails to grow abnormally. In general chickens kept on normal surfaces to not need their nails trimmed- but even so- some older roos or hens will need their nails trimmed. If you look at their feet and their toes are getting lifted off the ground by their nails, or their nails (or toes) are turning sideways- by all means, trim them. Use dog or cat trimmers, parrot trimmers, or some big human toe nail trimmers. Jess

 

[SpottedCrow]

I use DH's nail clippers...shhh...