Showbird chickens, and regular backyard chickens sometimes need a pedicure. If their toenails are too long, curling, turning unnatural colors or making them uncomfortable it is time to do a pedicure and sometimes its fun to just paint your chickens toenails (with non toxic nail polish of course)
What You Will Need to Do a Chicken Foot Pedicure
Pet toenail clippers or low volume pet toenail grinder
File
A bucket or tub of some type to soak the birds feet and legs in or to bathe them in
Disinfectant to clean clippers, bucket, and anything the bird comes in contact with (use before and after pedicure)
Antifungal foot cream
Protective clothing for you (waterproof apron, gloves, face mask, and protective glasses)
Cornstarch or Flour (to quickly stop bleeding if you accidently cut the bird or cut into the quick of the nail)
Directions:
Disinfect everything before use
Soak birds feet and legs for 10-15 minutes prior to pedicure (this makes it easier to remove debris, loose scales, and toenails-it also reduces the chances of a piece of loose scales or toenail flying up and hitting you in the eye which I have had happen to me which is why I now wear goggles while giving my birds pedicures).
Remove loose or lifted scales carefully
I like to use a low volume pet toenail grinder for my chickens legs and toenails to remove scales and toenails rather than clippers unless the toenails are very long but a few of my chickens get skittish around it so I have to clip their toenails.
Clip toenails carefully being careful not to cut into the quick (you can usually see a dark line in the middle of the toenail if held up to light). If I cannot clearly see the quick of the nail I only clip the top 1/4th of the nail. If you do by accident clip the quick of the nail or the bird starts bleeding when scales are removed you can pour cornstarch or flour on it and pat it in to stop the bleeding. Wait at least 3 minutes and then rinse it off and continue the pedicure.
Once you are finished then apply antifungal cream to legs and feet.
Put the bird in a cage with a cage floor until the cream dries. If you put your bird outdoors or in bedding the cream will soak into the bedding or dirt and will attract debris.
File
A bucket or tub of some type to soak the birds feet and legs in or to bathe them in
Disinfectant to clean clippers, bucket, and anything the bird comes in contact with (use before and after pedicure)
Antifungal foot cream
Protective clothing for you (waterproof apron, gloves, face mask, and protective glasses)
Cornstarch or Flour (to quickly stop bleeding if you accidently cut the bird or cut into the quick of the nail)
Directions:
Disinfect everything before use
Soak birds feet and legs for 10-15 minutes prior to pedicure (this makes it easier to remove debris, loose scales, and toenails-it also reduces the chances of a piece of loose scales or toenail flying up and hitting you in the eye which I have had happen to me which is why I now wear goggles while giving my birds pedicures).
Remove loose or lifted scales carefully
I like to use a low volume pet toenail grinder for my chickens legs and toenails to remove scales and toenails rather than clippers unless the toenails are very long but a few of my chickens get skittish around it so I have to clip their toenails.
Clip toenails carefully being careful not to cut into the quick (you can usually see a dark line in the middle of the toenail if held up to light). If I cannot clearly see the quick of the nail I only clip the top 1/4th of the nail. If you do by accident clip the quick of the nail or the bird starts bleeding when scales are removed you can pour cornstarch or flour on it and pat it in to stop the bleeding. Wait at least 3 minutes and then rinse it off and continue the pedicure.
Once you are finished then apply antifungal cream to legs and feet.
Put the bird in a cage with a cage floor until the cream dries. If you put your bird outdoors or in bedding the cream will soak into the bedding or dirt and will attract debris.
How to Prevent Foot Problems In Chickens
Most foot problems chickens get come from unsanitary or damp living conditions. All roosts, nest boxes, coops, and runs should be cleaned and disinfected once a week (once a month at the very least). Make sure there is no water spills or wet bedding where the birds have access to it. Make sure your chickens do not have access to other pets and livestock feces. Pretreat your birds feet and legs for scaley leg mites monthly. Make sure your chickens do not have to jump off high perches. If a perch is higher than 12 inches you should make more perches or a ladder for them to climb up and down with it. Birds jumping from high perches can develop bumblefoot a painful and crippling condition. See more below...
Featured Video: Chicken Pedicure
Just when you thought you seen everything about chickens and then this happens! This pampered chicken is getting her toe nails custom painted and has obviously just had a bath from the look of her damp feathers. Talk about spoiled-rotten! Beyoncé got her bath, and here you can see she is getting her toes done. I have seen alot of chicken pedicures but never one like this. I totally love it.
Chicken Spa Days
I have chicken spa days at least twice a year, usually in the Spring and again in the Fall before winter sets in. Each chicken gets bathed, parasite treatments to protect them from mites, lice, fleas, and mosquitoes, comb and wattle treatments, ears checked, and their toenails done. Some folks really go all out on Chicken Spa Days too. Check it out here: Go to Chicken Spa Days
