How do I de-spur a rooster?

katie4 · Apr 21, 2011

My neighbor has a handsome 14 month old RIR rooster who is gentle toward his 10 RIR girls and human mom and daughter. He is viscious toward his human dad and son and attacks mercilessly whenever either human male vetures near the flock when they free-range or they enter the coop to collect eggs.

Any suggestions on how to humanely remove the spurs?

"Red" is much loved by the family (and they shed tears at the prospect of re-homing him or letting me broil him) but they just can't risk the two children getting hurt by his typical rooster behavior.

Thanks!

azygous · Apr 21, 2011

If you have strong fingers, or you can use some pliers, just grasp the spur at the base close to the shank. Twist back and forth very gently until you feel the spur loosen. Then twist until it just lifts off.

You can also heat up a potato in the microwave, place the hot potato onto the spur, wait one minute and lift it off. The heat will have loosened the spur and it can be easily lifted off.

There should be little or no blood, and the roo should feel nothing. A little antibiotic ointment on the nub should protect it until it hardens in a day or so. It will slowly grow back, but will take over a year.

Judy · Apr 21, 2011

Many use a dreml tool, saying the heat from the tool stops bleeding.

I don't think there is a painless way, but it doesn't seem to bother them much if you don't try to cut it down to the leg. No doubt a search would reveal several other methods. I've read that the potato method does not work well -- have not tried it, though.

KBlue · Apr 22, 2011

I've always heard to use the hot potato. I've never tried it though, so I couldn't speak to its efficacy.

How do I de-spur a rooster?

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katie4

In the Brooder

azygous

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Judy

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KBlue

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