Silkie nails

[CarinaL]

Hi all, I'm new to here (and had 4 silkies r 2 years now). Recently just discovered 1 had scaly leg mite, so currently treating with Vaseline and some powder (seems to be doing the trick!). Thing that worries me now is the nails... Should I cut them? And of so how

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do they get the opportunity to scratch in soil?
If they are on wire or some smooth surface they can't wear them down.
If out foraging they don't need trimming.
If they need trimming, you can use dog nail clippers. But be careful, the quick, IMHO, is much farther out the nail than on dogs.
I wouldn't trim unless the nails are out of control.

 

[CarinaL]

I only have 4 and they have a small run but I do let them out to scratch about the garden daily in summer (but not so much in winter) with weather and dark nights. I'm a bit scared to cut tbh....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I would err on the side of not trimming if they have access to soil.

We taught a class on trimming last year. I brought chicken feet from a butchering session so people could practice. I was amazed at how many people hit the quick with very little trimming.
As I said, only consider trimming if they really look out of control and causing the toes to not hit the ground properly.

 

[CarinaL]

I will try and get a pic to post.... Maybe they just look long to me? Iv been looking more since treating them for leg mites. My littlest (but prob most bossy) silkie is suffering from leg mites at the moment, the treatment seems to be going well but she's still lifting this when pecking around. She's behaving herself more tho (maybe because she's ill?!) she usually makes a run for it when I'm putting them to bed! Haha... She's such a character- I'm worried about her

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm guessing they just look long.
Some of mine look long but they're out scratching all day.

 

[CarinaL]

Probably

being overly Cautious now they've been hit with mites... I think prob because it's mild here in the uk

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

 

[Book Em Danno25]

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Chicken claws can be fairly long and still be ok. I have one hen that has plenty of access to dirt and sand all day long and she still has to have her claws trimmed every few months. The first time you trim the nails, they will probably bleed. But after about the second trimming, the blood vein in there backs way off and if you need to keep her claws trimmed, it is much easier without the vein so far up there.

So get yourself some guillotine type dog nail trimmers, some corn starch and some alcohol wipes. Towel her up and lay her on your lap on her back, head at your belly, feet hanging out. At first, just trim off a very tiny bit. Like an 1/16 of an inch or so. If it bleeds, wipe the claw with the alcohol wipe and pack it with corn starch. You will probably have to pack the bleed again with corn starch. Do each toe nail and pack any that bleed. Keep her in your lap for a few minutes to make sure the bleeding stops and you can then put her back in the coop. I like to keep them on something clean and dry for at least 30 mins so the nail hardens over enough to keep crud out of the bleeder. I have never had any issues with infection. You can check the nails an hour later and you shouldn't be able to see anything.

If they are still long and need trimming, wait a week or so before you repeat this procedure. Again, after a few trimmings, the blood vein will start to back off so you can safely trim without any blood.

Before you trim her claws, post some pics up here or on the another thread so you can get input as to whether they actually do need trimming.

Good luck with your babies and welcome to our flock!