[Midwife]

Hi, I was just wondering if I should be cutting the claws of my girls? After spending a lot of time smearing vaseline on their feet (esp Gertie after the lumpy feet episode) I noticed that some of their claws are really quite long. They are free range and do a lot of digging, but maybe the ground here is too soft. Anyway if I should be, how the heck do I do it?  :?

[Selkie]

If you do do it I'd say ''very carefully'' incase you snip into the little blood vessels

We cut our dog's nails (greyhounds have very long nails) and also one of our cats' claws (he has problems with damaged nerves and can't sharpen his claws) - we got a special clipper doodah from a pet shop.

I'm sure someone with more experience with poultry will give you some better advice but I'd be inclined to leave them unless it's causing problems for the hens.

[slowef]

There is a great article on this in a practical poultry magazine I was reading today the January issue for this year

[Selkie]

There is a great article on this in a practical poultry magazine I was reading today the January issue for this year

What did it suggest? :?:

[slowef]

It has photos and iinfo on how to trim claws and spurs etc its very good

[mdueal]

if you do make them bleed - fatastic tip i got from friend who kept chickens for year was to light a match - let it burn for a couple of seconds then blow it out and apply straight away to the end of the nail holding it there for several seconds. Thi cauterises the vessel exactly as using medical products such as silver nitrate sticks. It doesn't seem to hurt and is much better to get bleeding stopped quickly as their nails will just bleed and bleed if left as they knock any scab off as they walk so it never clots.

[Midwife]

Thanks everyone