A Silly Question - Maybe? (about spurs)

[aart]

@djkCR14 ...wondering how you decided to deal with these spurs?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It’s like cutting your fingernails. If you cut the top part off it’s painless but if you get into the quick, it hurts. Different roosters grow spurs differently and age makes a difference. The older the rooster the more is spur and less is quick. That’s why it is hard to say to take 1/3 of the spur off or over half.

Different people use different methods to take the spurs off. The only one I’ve ever used is the Dremel tool with the disc used for cutting through metal. I wrap the rooster in a towel to pin his wings and lay him on his back. I’ve never had a problem of one struggling after the first few seconds though I’m sure it can happen so wrap him securely and always have a hold of a leg. Then I cut off the end of the spur. It’s over in seconds.

I’ve only done it a few times but I hardly ever draw any blood, but I don’t try to take a whole lot of the spur off, mainly just blunting it. I think the heat of the spinning disc cauterizes the wound if there is a wound. It’s probably a good idea to have a little flour handy to throw on and stop the bleeding if you have a problem, but that’s never been necessary for me.

When I finish I just take him back to the flock and let him go. He usually immediately mates with a hen to show he’s still the dominant one in that flock. I don’t keep him isolated while anything heals or dries up which others have said they do with other methods.

 

[djkCR14]

It’s like cutting your fingernails. If you cut the top part off it’s painless but if you get into the quick, it hurts. Different roosters grow spurs differently and age makes a difference. The older the rooster the more is spur and less is quick. That’s why it is hard to say to take 1/3 of the spur off or over half.

Different people use different methods to take the spurs off. The only one I’ve ever used is the Dremel tool with the disc used for cutting through metal. I wrap the rooster in a towel to pin his wings and lay him on his back. I’ve never had a problem of one struggling after the first few seconds though I’m sure it can happen so wrap him securely and always have a hold of a leg. Then I cut off the end of the spur. It’s over in seconds.

I’ve only done it a few times but I hardly ever draw any blood, but I don’t try to take a whole lot of the spur off, mainly just blunting it. I think the heat of the spinning disc cauterizes the wound if there is a wound. It’s probably a good idea to have a little flour handy to throw on and stop the bleeding if you have a problem, but that’s never been necessary for me.

When I finish I just take him back to the flock and let him go. He usually immediately mates with a hen to show he’s still the dominant one in that flock. I don’t keep him isolated while anything heals or dries up which others have said they do with other methods.

Thanks for your input Ridgerunner - - I saw this method in a video too, it doesn't look very hard, but I've been hesitant to do it myself. My husband is out of the country now, so maybe when he comes back, he can help me. Also, I've worried about my rooster after doing it, because they are free roaming - - I don't have another area to keep him if I need to shelter him for a few days. (Because they said the hens will peck at the red core, or also that it could possibly get infected. So, I'm amazed that your rooster even mates afterward like nothing happened and you don't isolate either. Guess I'll have to give it a try...

 

[djkCR14]

@djkCR14 ...wondering how you decided to deal with these spurs?

I'm still waiting for a time when my husband can help me out - I don't think I can do it by myself, (at least not the first time). I think I'll probably try the removal method with a pliers. It seems pretty simple and hopefully my roo won't get an infection or be pecked on by the hens. I don't have a place to isolate him if needed.

I tried cutting the spurs awhile back, but those spurs are really tough, my clipper barely made a dent in them. I guess I needed the clippers we use to trim our horses hooves? Oh well ... for now - he's still intact and seems fine. hehe

 

[WYNot]

See my previous post in this thread. It has a link to a method similar to just using pliers but uses a heated potato first. The heat and the moisture help cause the spur to separate from the core for easier removal.

 

[aart]

I'm still waiting for a time when my husband can help me out - I don't think I can do it by myself, (at least not the first time). I think I'll probably try the removal method with a pliers. It seems pretty simple and hopefully my roo won't get an infection or be pecked on by the hens. I don't have a place to isolate him if needed.

I tried cutting the spurs awhile back, but those spurs are really tough, my clipper barely made a dent in them. I guess I needed the clippers we use to trim our horses hooves? Oh well ... for now - he's still intact and seems fine. hehe

Gotcha....maybe some blukote on them....it's an antiseptic and camouflages any blood/red.

Let us know how it works out.