Hippie Chick Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Hello I'm wondering if any of you have any experience of clipping chicken toenails. I'm more than willing to give it a go and I've Googled and think I can do it although it's maybe one of the least co-operative chickens I have and I predict some swearing on both sides My main concern is accidentally cutting through the quick. I have a styptic pencil (in case I ever do the same to the dogs) and I'm planning on using guillotine clippers. I'm probably going to have to attack the offending nails bit by bit every few days to avoid hurting her with my clumsiness. I know that really a chicken's nails shouldn't need cutting, and she does free range everyday. However, she's always had some deformation to her foot that seems to put her nails at a different angle in comparison to the other foot. Today when I was checking her I thought two of her nails on the affected foot looked large in comparison to the others and maybe the slight limp she has was more pronounced. So she's going to get a manicure. If anyone has any stories of chicken nail trimming, tips, suggestions or things to avoid doing then I'd be very grateful. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I fear. Deep breaths! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Well... Been there, done that... And never doing it again. I regularly cut the nails of cats and dogs, but was thoroughly surprised at how close the quick of a chicken is to the end of the nail... Never doing that again and I'm leaving it to a vet to sort out if ever necessary again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 If you've noticed the nails on one foot are larger than the other it is a good guide to where to cut HC. Yes it is best to take small pieces off just in case. We simply cut one nail down to match the other foot when necessary, although with very old hens or cocks they don't always do the scratching to wear them down and you sometimes have to cut and hope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 As you say, it isn't normally necessary to cut them, but sometimes, if a toe is slightly bent, the nail overgrows. Trim very careful and have a styptic pencil or some vet wound powder to hand to staunch any bleeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Well, it didn't go ahead as I found her this morning looking extremely poorly. I thought it was an egg that had broken inside her but not trusting my diagnosis I took her to the vet. Happily the vet said her parents had kept chickens all their lives so she seemed to know what was going on, it took her only a few minutes to whisk poor Agnes into the back and return with a bemused looking nurse carrying a leathery looking deflated egg and yolk soaked towel. Agnes has spent today indoors with me looking exhausted and worrying me like crazy by not being impressed with hand-fed mealworms, but as the light faded her instincts seemed to kick in and she wanted to fill her crop and livened up to the point of violently grabbing a slice of cucumber offered to her I'm praying that this is going to be a one-off and she makes a full recovery. I've just used the last 2 eggs that she laid and the shells were very strong, but they were huge at 76 and 78g - a stupidly large egg for such a skinny chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Poor Agnes is still not well and I've started her on a course of Baytril after she laid a lash this morning. The giving of Baytril went a lot smoother than I had anticipated - I soaked some mealworms in her dose and mixed a few breadcrumbs in to soak up any drips - it was very well received! The other chickens were far less appreciative seeing her get the special treatment yet again! Hopefully she'll pull round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
