soooooooo, i've searched a bit and can't really tell what the consensus is: for those of you who have pet chickens (the in-your-lap and on-your-shoulders and peck-your-hair kind...), do you trim their toenails??? one of the girls (7 weeks old) just scratched the POOP out of my knee (hole in my jeans). she was flying out to see me all excitedly, did NOT stick her landing, and did a little scramble (hah! scramble... sorry.) around on my knee before she regained her balance. it hurt! so, i'm thinking that when i get them booted outside (another post entirely... i don't wanna, it's cold out there!!!) and they can do more scratching around in the yard it will get better? also saw a post where someone put some treats or food up on cement pavers that the peeps have to walk around on to get stuff - wearing their nails in the process. i'll trim 'em if i have to (although i can predict some peeved little ladies), but i'd rather not if you guys think that they will not be so likely to draw blood by accident on our arms/legs/necks/shoulders when they come to say hi...
You can trim them but don't take off to much...if you want to do that till they go out. Once they are out though their nails should wear down from all the scratching they'll do.
Yeah, booting them outside will do the trick in a few weeks. If you do trim, have some quick stop just in case it starts to bleed. Use dog trimmers.