Can I Trim My Duck's Toenails?

[lauriemae15]

We rescued a pair of ducks and the male has a limp from being attacked by a hawk. Since he doesn't use one of his feet very much the nails on that foot are twice as long as the nails on his other foot. I am wondering if we can trim them. Could we use a dog nail clipper? Do we have to worry about hitting a vein and causing bleeding? Should we just leave him be? I'm worried the long nails make it harder for him to walk than it already is. Thanks!!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Yes you can use a dog trimmer and yes it will bleed since it is really long. You can buy Quick Stop, flower, or corn starch to stop the bleeding.
Heres some articles.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/trimming-your-chickens-nails-beaks-spurs-tutorial

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-chicken-practices-how-to-do-so-why-and-preventions

 

[lauriemae15]

Thanks!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

We rescued a pair of ducks and the male has a limp from being attacked by a hawk. Since he doesn't use one of his feet very much the nails on that foot are twice as long as the nails on his other foot. I am wondering if we can trim them. Could we use a dog nail clipper? Do we have to worry about hitting a vein and causing bleeding? Should we just leave him be? I'm worried the long nails make it harder for him to walk than it already is. Thanks!!

You may want to give him swim time it great therapy and may help to strengthen the injured leg, I know this time of yr it's hard to give swim time unless inside though. As far a nail clipping if his nails are clear colored you should be able to see the quick. If dark clip a little at a time, nails bleed alot when you hit the quick.

 

[lauriemae15]

We had given them a little pool before it got below freezing but they wouldn't go near it. Guess we will have to wait until spring to see if they will swim or not.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We had given them a little pool before it got below freezing but they wouldn't go near it. Guess we will have to wait until spring to see if they will swim or not.

There's always the bath tub...