Chicken nails

[Chelseyb123]

Do you have to cut them? Or can you file them? I noticed that all of my flocks nails have gotten a bit long since its winter here in maine an they atent able to starch the ground as much. I just dont wanna risk cutting the vien and making them bleed. And i have one of those dog nail filers i could use.

 

[sylviethecochin]

That sounds like a job and a half. Unless your girls are bothered by the long nails, I would not bother trimming.

But if you really want to trim them, just find a video on trimming rabbit toenails. They're very similar in structure, size, and shape.

 

[getaclue]

I file my chicken's nails. All you have to do is file the tips down some.

 

[Chelseyb123]

I know that four of my hens from their previous owner did cut their nails. So those ones probably wont mind. And my other hen an roo that im more concerned about have about half inch long nails id say and my hen has funny feet some of her toes are sideways. Its never bothered her I just dont want them to end up ripping them off since its cold an icy out in there pen when they come outside. An one of my roosters has gotten some pretty long nails this winter as well.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I have never had to cut chicken nails, but if you want to take it up I prefer to file. That way there's less risk of cutting the quick.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Im gonna try this weekend an hopefully all goes well if i cant than ill jusy leave them alone spring will come soon enough.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-beaks-spurs-and-nails.1177454/

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have some round landscaping pavers that I put in their run. So hopefully they are keeping them trimmed down when they scratch. I will purposefully throw srcatch on top of the pavers.
I had guinea pigs and it wasn't fun trimming their nails I can't imagine trimming a chicken's.
My dog's tolerate it well enough, but even they don't like to have their nails trimmed.

 

[chuckachucka]

I would not recommend filing as chicken toenails are really hard and it would require holding them in place for a long time. I say just go in there with nail clippers and only clip off a little bit. I did this with my silkie and she wasn't that bothered.

 

[getaclue]

Get something like this, the coarse pedicure file. They're coarse enough, and it doesn't take long, per chicken.
https://www.amazon.com/Manicure-Ped...4316&sr=8-8&keywords=coarse+toenail+file&th=1