Trimming feathers

[jacyjones]

This may sound like a very silly question.................how close to a chicken's body can you trim the feathers? I have a black rock with a lump of poo stuck in the feathers on her bum and I cannot remove it. I think the only option now is to cut it off - is there any chance this will hurt her? Do feathers bleed? Sorry if I am being really thick but I have never had to do this before.

 

[Love my Critters!]

Some feathers do bleed, but only the big ones that you can see the quick "red blood inside". The quick is the thick part of the feather close to the chicken. In my experience the down feathers by the vent area are not blood feathers and do not bleed. Just be careful not to cut the skin. You may try soaking the poo with a wet rag or soaking wet papertowel and try to soften the poo, so you can loosen it from the feathers and gently pull it off.
Hope this helped a little.

 

[jacyjones]

Thanks for your reply - good news, I had already tried sweet almond oil to soften the poo a couple of days ago and today it has come off!! She looks a bit oily but at least I don't have to try cutting.