TooLilac Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 We have never cut our chickens' nails in nearly 3 years, and I gave always thought that as they ir run is on slabs they s"Ooops, word censored!"e about keeping them in check. At the weekend one if my ladies must have caught a nail on something and it bled like billy-oh! now I am having a crisis of confidence - perhaps I should have been giving them a toenail trim??? what do you all do? If you do trim, how and how often???? ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I have to trim my oldest girls as they grow curly They are on wood chip in their run and grass weather permitting One of mine ripped off a toenail a few months ago, bleed like mad I purple sprayed it after compressing it for a few mins. You do have to be careful as you can cut beyond the quick and as you know the bleed profusely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I do mine when they are long too. I use dog claw clippers as they have a guard on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Here is something useful I found when someone else asked a similar question. Redwing gives an excellent account of what to do .... Redwing wrote: Hold the chook under your arm with her facing backwards so you have the feet in your hand with soles uppermost and one hand free Hold the chook over a table lamp so the light souce is under her You will see that the end part of the claw is translucent and the bit nearest her feet is darker You can cut any of the translucent bit, If you cut in to the solid area it will bleed If you cant see which bit is which chances are that the thickest part of the claw is all solid but cut a little at a time if you arent sure Cut using pliers, dog nail trimmers or tin snips - dont use scissors or the claw will split If it bleeds use talc, vaseline or flour to stop the bleeding or dig the claw in to a bar of soap. It will be fine and will heal quickly so dont panic[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooLilac Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Thanks all, that's really helpful. gulp, it looks like I'll have to bite the bullet then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Eeeks I have not ever cut my girls nails and they are teeny tiny nails so they must wear them down while digging in the enclosure that is covered with woodchip. When doing a rehoming for BHWT I have clipped about 200 and due to the sheer amount of girls coming through, took my chances with educated guess work having said that, none bled:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 We occasionally cut ours. First noticed when their toes are twisted to one side because the nails are too long to sit on the ground properly. We use Bib electrical wire strippers because they cut with two 'V' shaped blades and can't split the nail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You shouldn't need to trim their claws unless they are on a deep litter and not able to scratch around. Yes, it will bleed a a lot if they catch a claw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
