Cut feathers on feet?

[Avrilon]

I have a light brahma hen who is going through her first molt. Prior to the molt, the feathers on her feet were not that noticeable; they were small. But now they are huge and she is walking in a very pronounced way - lifting her feet very high each step. Poor thing probably feels like she is wearing clown shoes the feathers are so huge! Would it be okay to cut the feathers back a bit so she isn't overwhelmed by them? Or, is that not wise? I thought she'd get used to her new "feet", but it's been a month at least and she is still walking like they are in the way.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have no experience trimming feathers but just be careful as there are blood feathers that they can bleed to death if you aren't careful and they start bleeding. You might search byc for blood feather to see what I'm talking about???

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search.php?search=blood+feather
I have feather footed chickens too and they do lift their feet up high as they walk. I wouldn't trim them if it were me.

 

[Avrilon]

Thank you; I'm so glad I asked. I will do some research on blood feathers. Maybe she will get used to her new feathered feet in time.

 

[azygous]

I have a whole fleet of feathered feet. I can assure you that any feathers that are truly in the way of their walking, will get worn down naturally. There's no need whatsoever to try to trim them.

You do need to keep an eye on them, though, since they can get caked with feces and mud, which could lead to foot rot if ignored. I inspect feet often and do quick foot baths when needed, but often, simply pulling the caked mess off the feathers and from between the toes is sufficient.

 

[member 447614]

I would not cut the feathers on your Cochin Bantams. The feathers help to insulate their feet, and bird on cool nights, and during winter. Due to their small size they need all the insulation they can get. And on hot days they work as fans sweeping air under their body which helps to cool them down when walking. And as the others said, there are risks of cutting blood feathers. All that is needed is to limit the amount of mud in their area, and keep them clean. No need to mess with the natural way of things.

 

[virgooftheearth]

I had yhe same issue, can i ask a question? When your hen was filling in with foot feathers for the first time, did the feet swell etc? My bantum is having a hell of a Time with hi first molt, he is in sickbay as i speak due to bumblefoot. I have 2 birds with that. And yes keep their feathers, if they are in the way they'll get worn like another commenter said.. good luck oh, and when u post, PICS are wonderfuk to see the issue

 

[Ishidian]

I would not cut the feathers on your Cochin Bantams. The feathers help to insulate their feet, and bird on cool nights, and during winter. Due to their small size they need all the insulation they can get. And on hot days they work as fans sweeping air under their body which helps to cool them down when walking. And as the others said, there are risks of cutting blood feathers. All that is needed is to limit the amount of mud in their area, and keep them clean. No need to mess with the natural way of things.

Natural way of things...

 

[Still-learning]

Great thread...I've always kept cross bread pekin bantams...But this is the first time I've had 3 pure 6 mth old hens...One developed an abscess on the top of her foot and it was treated so-far sucessfully...But the lifting the the leg when walking turned me more into medicating her with pain killer and anti-biotics...I finally worked out that it is the fluff that she has she is carrying that is causing it...Thanks the advice here...A little bit of trimming fixed it...

 

[VickieV]

I have a Booted Bantam and her feathers on her feet seem to bother her because they are so long. Should I trim them. PLEASE NOTE I AM A FIRST TIME CHICKEN OWNER! THANKS