However, this distinctive feature makes Silkies more susceptible to scaly leg mites. Scaly Leg Mitesįluffy feathers on the legs are one of the unique characteristics of Silkies. This separation helps you keep track of which birds you have already trimmed. If several Silkies need a toenail trim, place them in a separate pen when you are finished. Once the bleeding is stopped, spray the area with an antiseptic to prevent a possible infection.įile any rough edges, so the Silkie does not snag the toenail on anything and cause an injury. Keep some styptic powder handy just in case the nail is cut too short and starts to bleed. Wait 5-7 days between each nail trim if you have to do a toenail multiple times. If your Silkie has an extra long toenail, you may need to trim it over several sessions until it is the correct length. To avoid a bleeding nail, do not cut more than 25% of the toenail at one time. Use a nail trimmer specifically made for small animals, such as this one on Amazon. If there is a lot of dirt on your Silkie’s foot, use a damp washcloth to wipe it clean before you trim the nails. Silkies are generally very calm birds, but you will likely need someone to hold the chicken while you trim its nails.Ĭhickens do not like having their feet touched, so you will need to keep a firm grip on the foot during trimming. Regular nail trimming will prevent any problems your Silkie may have with long toenails. Overgrown toenails may affect a Silkie’s ability to walk or hold its foot in a normal direction, causing the animal to stumble or appear clumsy.Ĭheck your Silkie’s feet every 2 to 3 weeks or whenever you notice one of your chickens walking funny. When a Silkie’s toes grow in odd directions, their toenails may not be worn down naturally by walking or scratching. Understanding these problems will help you prevent them from occurring in your flock of Silkies. The most common foot and leg problems in Silkies are overgrown toenails, scaly leg mites, bumblefoot, and frostbite. This combination of traits makes Silkies more prone to foot and leg issues. On top of having extra toes, most Silkies have fluffy feathers on their legs. There is nothing inherently wrong with Silkies having more or less than five toes.īut they are not desirable as show chickens because they do not adhere to the breed standards. Silkies with four or six toes on each foot instead of the usual five are typically not used for breeding purposes. Some chickens may have six toes on each foot or six toes on one foot, and four or five toes on the other. It is sometimes possible for a polydactyl chicken with this dominant trait to have five toes on one foot and four toes on the other. While all Silkies are born with the polydactyl gene, it is not uncommon to see chickens of this breed with four or six toes. Keep reading to learn more about a Silkie chicken’s feet and how to prevent some common foot problems this breed may have. Silkies are popular with backyard chicken keepers because of their unique traits and calm temperament. Silkies are only one of five breeds of chicken with five toes on their feet. The extra digits on a Silkie’s feet do not serve a purpose and are strictly for appearance. Silkies with five toes were selectively bred, and over time, the five-toed trait became the breed standard. The reason Silkie chickens have five toes is due to a gene abnormality. In addition to the funky feathers of these distinct chickens, other unusual qualities of Silkies include blue earlobes, dark mulberry combs and wattles, and black skin and bones.Ī fascinating feature you may not know about Silkies is they have five toes on each foot.īut why do Silkie chickens have five toes? These fluffy chickens are often known as “bunnies with chicken legs” because of their fur-like feathers. Silkies stand out from other chicken breeds because of their unique traits and fluffy appearance.
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