Trimming Spur's????

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chickenlady81

chickenlady81

Songster
11 Years
Jun 10, 2008
1,182
5
161
Weare, NH
Hello, My roo's spurs are getting pretty long and I was wondering whats the best way to trim them? Will he hurt the girls if they become to long? Thanks!
 
You can remove the spurs by moistening them with Vaseline or cooking oil first, then take some pliers, grasping the spur at the base, and twist. The spur is like a hollow horn, and it will slip right off, exposing a soft fleshy, small spur underneath. This won't hurt the roo, and there should be little or no bleeding involved. It takes about a year for the horny outer spur to grow back. When it does, repeat the process.

It's best for the hens and for the humans who may come into contact with the rooster to have the spurs removed. I have a friend who was badly injured when flogged by his rooster and has deep scars, and this forum occasionally has a story about a rooster mangling a hen so badly when mating that the hen was ripped open by the spurs and died.

You can also file the spurs down, but I think it's quicker and easier to remove them.
 
Quote:
Ouch.
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I'v also heard of a technique using a lighter or matches to soften it but the vaseline sounds better. I have old english bantams and love the look of the spurs, but they are dangerous, even though mine would never even think of using them on me... so i just file down the tip unless the spur starts digging into the leg.
 
I have see a video on youtube on pulling off the spurs...If didnt look like it even bothered the roo but I dont know if I can the courage to do that.
sickbyc.gif
 
I finally got up the nerve last night to trim my Black Copper Marans roo's long spurs. I didn't have any Vaseline so I grabbed some Burt's Bees salve. I rubbed it on his feet and spurs, took a pair of pliers and grasped the spur and gave a twist. They came off easily, they were hollow and left a small soft spur. A tiny bit of blood oozed from them but it didnt seem to phase him at all. I would never want to hurt my chickies. I told him his ladies would be a lot happier with him too.
 
When you moisten the spurs with vaseline (or the like), how long do you leave it on before you're able to twist the spur off? 1 min, 5min?
 

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