Toenails

BabyBantam

BabyBantam

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Can anyone tell me how long chooks toenails should be? My bantams live on grass & get let out in the garden daily, but not sure how long is too long for toenails. I'm used to clipping the dogs nails, but als can't seem to work out where the 'quick' is on the girls.
Their nails are pretty long, but not twisted or distorted. They also seem to be picking their feet up a bit more than usual, but not sure if thats to do with the new feathers coming through, or their nails.
I'll try and get a photo, but not sure if they'll stay still long enough.
 
I only have one hen, a tiny serama, that needs regular toenail clippings. She stays broody pretty much year-round so is never out scratching around keeping them trim.
Occasionally one of my other hens, brahmas, will have one or two toenails that for whatever reason don't wear down at an even rate. The rule of thumb I use is how they are walking. If their gait seems a bit off the first thing I check for is bumblefoot, then I check their nails. Worse than clipping toenails, I also have a crossbeaked (scissor beak) hen that requires regular trimmings of the beak and it's a solid black beak.
I use my dognail clippers and proceed slowly, taking just a little bit at one cut. Still too long? Take another little clip.
If I do clip too far and it starts to bleed, I keep a jar of cornstarch handy. I've never had one bleed more than a few drops and it seems to bother me alot more than it does the chicken.
 
I have never needed to cut toenails, mine are out all day and in all weathers. Interesting though mine are a five-toed breed and as the fifth toe is upturned I find on the older birds I do need to trim these occasionally probably because there is nothing to wear them down on.
 
Ours have been on grass for years and have never needed their nails cutting BB. If you do decide they are indeed too long look very carefully before cutting. The quick extends a very long way into the nail. Very rarely we file our pet Orpington's nails, just to take a few mm off. He spends most of his time in the house so does little scratching.
 
They vary a lot. Some grow very quickly and others don't seem to grow at all. I trim the ones that get long using a dog toe nail gadget.
Trim them back a bit at a time but don't worry if you draw a bit of blood, it soon stops.
 
Thanks all, will keep an eye on them, but as they've spent all day scratching about on the new patio (leaving scratch marks) they may have just solved the issue for themselves :)
 
I had simular problem to you and recently had bought theese http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200716178590?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Great for this job.
 
You can also buy potassium permanganate in little pots and sprinkle a little amount on the nail if you cut the quick and it bleeds - it seals it. Can be used on dog/cat etc too. Only thing is make sure you dont get it on anything that matters as it is purple and goes brown :-)11
 
Pot permang. also gets very hot so care needed but it is useful.
 
I keep a little pot of antibiotic powder for birds to use on quails if they get injured, and it's-also useful for other animals, used to use it on the ponies when I needed to keep a scratch clean and dry. Doesn't stain feathers like pot permanganate. I guess thats what's in the purple spray, in solution.
 
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