Nail trim

[ckeene1990]

I am a first time chicken owner, my chickens are 7 months old. Not too long ago I noticed their nails wheee getting long and their toes were turning when standing. I just trimmed their nails, I trimmed a small bit at a time, as I was scared of hitting the wick. I read that the wick will retract a bit when their nails are cut. They need them trimmed a little bit more, how long should I wait before doing so.

 

[Rose_adamaj]

I am interested in hearing about this too.
It is called the ‘quick’, make sure you have something on hand to stop the bleeding if you ‘quick’ one. Styptic powder. Some places sell Quick stop. I’ve heard of using flour or cornstarch. Personally, I prefer using styptic powder.
With dogs, I use a grinder and do a small, very small bit every week. That keeps their toenails in good shape.

 

[Debbie292d]

I've seen those fingernail dremels or drills being sold for those women that put on fake nails. They run about $10 more or less. I'm thinking of trying one of those out.

For the rooster, his are thick and long and curled up to his leg. Hubby uses a wire cutters for those. He's done it a half dozen times and did hit the quick once, but a little flour took care of it.

 

[ckeene1990]

I am interested in hearing about this too.
It is called the ‘quick’, make sure you have something on hand to stop the bleeding if you ‘quick’ one. Styptic powder. Some places sell Quick stop. I’ve heard of using flour or cornstarch. Personally, I prefer using styptic powder.
With dogs, I use a grinder and do a small, very small bit every week. That keeps their toenails in good shape.

I didn’t cut the quick, but on one nail when I was filing it after, we got a tiny bit of blood. It stopped almost immediately. I’m just scared of hurting them, I would feel horrible.

 

[Rose_adamaj]

I forgot to add, welcome to the wonderful world of chickens
You have joined the best chicken forum there is.
BYC is full of great people who are willing to help!

 

[Rose_adamaj]

I didn’t cut the quick, but on one nail when I was filling it after, we got a tiny bit of blood. It stopped almost immediately. I’m just scared of hurting them, I would feel horrible.

Yes, I know that feeling. It sounds like you are doing it right. I don’t know how often you need to trim to get their nails where you want them.
Hopefully someone else will know.

 

[Synthlady]

Do your chicks have enough space to scratch? I think you can wait until their nails interfere with their walking. In case you go shorter, make sure you have quick stop powder on hand. Don't panic if you ever hit the quick, the powder will stop the bleeding. If you do hit the quick, use that error as a guide as to how short you should clip the rest of her nails.
The only hen in my flock that ever needs a nail trimming is my lazy buff orpington/australorp mix, Peanut Butter. Otherwise every other hen in my flock has never needed a trim due to their hard work in the back yard. They scratch every morning and evening looking for bugs. I would suggest you provide your chicks plenty of space for them to scratch the earth. That way you will have one less worry because you will not need to trim their nails.

 

[ckeene1990]

Do your chicks have enough space to scratch? I think you can wait until their nails interfere with their walking. In case you go shorter, make sure you have quick stop powder on hand. Don't panic if you ever hit the quick, the powder will stop the bleeding. If you do hit the quick, use that error as a guide as to how short you should clip the rest of her nails.
The only hen in my flock that ever needs a nail trimming is my lazy buff orpington/australorp mix, Peanut Butter. Otherwise every other hen in my flock has never needed a trim due to their hard work in the back yard. They scratch every morning and evening looking for bugs. I would suggest you provide your chicks plenty of space for them to scratch the earth. That way you will have one less worry because you will not need to trim their nails.

I only have 5 chickens, and their coop and run is more space than what is required for 5 chickens. The run is now dirt since the grass has died off, and they get free range time as well. Their run has logs and branches to perch on, as well as a “ladder” made of cinder blocks and 2x4. They also have a rock pile they climb on.

 

[Squawkers]

Is trimming chicken’s nails common? In all my years I have never once had to do it. Is that because they free range?

 

[ChikaInu]

We used to have to trim the nails of our little flock during the winter back home in Sweden, when it got to cold for them to free roam. It is honestly a two-minute job but I would never ever leave it to the point when it starts to bother the birds. That is too far and too long. Rather clip sooner and keep them sort of short.
Also, even if you do happen to cut the quick it will stop bleeding within a minute or so and there is no need for flour or similar unless you actually cut like half the nail off. They will be fine.