Historic Usage and Objectives
Current industrial practice is that digits II through IV are trimmed at the hatchery.
Literature has shown, however, that many combinations of toes may be considered
(Newberry et al., 1992, Kolokol’nikova et al., 2008). The most common technology
(MCP), however, is unable to trim Digit I so this digit is often left intact, to reduce the
need for the manual labour required to trim it using hot-blade technology. If the
trimming is completed within the terminal phalanx of the toe, it allows for complete
removal of the trabeculae on which the claw is based without losing tendon attachment to the distal toe. While there are a number of muscles with tendon insertions among the phalanges, only the musculus extensor digitorum longus, musculus flexor digitorum longus, and the musculus flexor perforans (for each digit) have attachments on the distal two phalanges and none have attachment solely on the terminal phalanx (George et al., 1966). Trimming at this point on the digit is thought to allow minimal, if any,
regrowth of the nail (Gorans, 1993).