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my hen has spurs?

post #1 of 15
2/2/12 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
Ive never seen a hen with spurs? What is this and why? Thanks
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post #2 of 15
2/2/12 at 2:57pm

Greetings! This is caused by the multiple spurs gene. Bow Lake fowl have it, too. Is this hen a Sumatra? Sumatras are the Black, gypsy-faced Longtails. They carry Multiple spurs. Those are the only one I can think of, unless your hen is just a spontaneous mutant? (That's when a true-breeding flock produces a bird with a strange roster of genes that is really unexplicable)


Edited by Ducks and Banny hens - 2/2/12 at 3:00pm
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post #3 of 15
2/2/12 at 3:42pm

I have had several hens with spurs. It's not uncommon. I've had a black Orp hen and her blue Orp mother with respectable spurs, a Speckled Sussex with one spur, an older RIR who developed them late in her life, and a half Ameraucana with obvious Sumatra ancestry with big black spurs.

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Speckledhen's Ten Commandments of Good Flock Management

 

~Chickens: It's a Hobby, not a Religion~

 

*Hens Are Not Vending Machines*

 

~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~

 

*Please Post All Health or Sexing Questions In Open Forum Only*

 

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post #4 of 15
2/2/12 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by speckledhen View Post

I have had several hens with spurs. It's not uncommon. I've had a black Orp hen and her blue Orp mother with respectable spurs, a Speckled Sussex with one spur, an older RIR who developed them late in her life, and a half Ameraucana with obvious Sumatra ancestry with big black spurs.


I think if you breed from them, you will get more of them like that. I know it's a spontaneous gene, but I can't for the life of me remember how it works. To Edelras, away!...
 

 

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post #5 of 15
2/2/12 at 3:54pm

When any female hen has spurs, it is passed down to her daughters. Not all of them would have it but majority will.

 

Some breeders would say the hens that has spurs would make GOOD sons so they are worthy if you want better roos LOL! I can not vouch if it is true but what I know, it IS inherited from mother to daughter. If the daughter didn't ahve it, bred to a roo whose mother has the spurs, you can say it will occur in her offsprings too.

 

Most breeders don't like hens with spurs but I say it depends on the hen herself and what she is good in and if she has some esteeming qualities that outweighs the non spurred female.

President of the Welsummer Club of North America & BYC Member since 4/11/2002 and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens

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President of the Welsummer Club of North America & BYC Member since 4/11/2002 and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens

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post #6 of 15
2/2/12 at 4:21pm

Most old school Gamefowl Breeders will not breed to a female that does not have spurs.

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post #7 of 15
2/2/12 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by culler View Post

Most old school Gamefowl Breeders will not breed to a female that does not have spurs.



Misread the quote-sorry


Edited by NYREDS - 2/3/12 at 4:56am

APA General Licensed Judge with 50 years experience raising and showing chickens and waterfowl. Dominique, Golden Campine& Rhode Island Red large fowl & Partridge Wyandotte Bantam hatching eggs available this spring.

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APA General Licensed Judge with 50 years experience raising and showing chickens and waterfowl. Dominique, Golden Campine& Rhode Island Red large fowl & Partridge Wyandotte Bantam hatching eggs available this spring.

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post #8 of 15
2/2/12 at 4:49pm

I think you misunderstood. Culler mentioned that game fowl breeders like hens with spurs.

 

I am guessing this may have had something to do with cock fighting. But I could be wrong.

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http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/628129/most-popular-small-flock-chickens-resource-for-selecting-your-chickens

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Which chicken breed is the best for you?

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/628129/most-popular-small-flock-chickens-resource-for-selecting-your-chickens

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post #9 of 15
2/2/12 at 5:49pm


Reds, Take another look at my post. The old Gamefowl breeders would not breed to a female without spurs. I have long history with Gamefowl and have known some of the great breeders.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by NYREDS View Post



Really? I live near the 78 year old president of the Old English Game Club of America & I've seen several spurred hens in his breeding pens.



 

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post #10 of 15
2/2/12 at 6:39pm

do you have a pic of the hen in question with the spurs. i know hens can get spurs (even bigger ones than roosters) exspecially games.

i am currently looking for sultans for my parents they keep asking me if i have seen for sale (birds or eggs) if you have any please pm me thanks.

i am looking for more d'uccles please pm me if you have any available (eggs only unless you live close to me), how much for a dozen, what colors you have, and if possable please send some pics of some of your breeders thank you
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i am currently looking for sultans for my parents they keep asking me if i have seen for sale (birds or eggs) if you have any please pm me thanks.

i am looking for more d'uccles please pm me if you have any available (eggs only unless you live close to me), how much for a dozen, what colors you have, and if possable please send some pics of some of your breeders thank you
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