BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[3riverschick]

I've got to get to hell out of this country and soon. I spoke with Jeff Smith of Cackle Hatchery today and certainly meaning no disrespect, I caught myself beginning to act like DAD!!! I was able to hold it together and get off the phone without doing anything crazy but I could feel myself slipping.

@3riverschick , I was told that John's birds were used one breeding season and were culled for reasons we'll discuss in private.

Aaron

ok, my private email is [email protected]
Best,
Karen

 

[DesertChic]

Today was my first experience removing spurs from a rooster. My beloved Bosch had spurs 4-5 inches long that were actually making it difficult for him to walk and even rest comfortably as they poked into his belly. Three hours after removing them with pliers he was still dripping fresh blood in spite of using bleed-stop. I'm gonna be paranoid all night long that he'll just keep bleeding even though they seem to have clotted when I finally removed him from isolation so he could roost.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Today was my first experience removing spurs from a rooster. My beloved Bosch had spurs 4-5 inches long that were actually making it difficult for him to walk and even rest comfortably as they poked into his belly. Three hours after removing them with pliers he was still dripping fresh blood in spite of using bleed-stop. I'm gonna be paranoid all night long that he'll just keep bleeding even though they seem to have clotted when I finally removed him from isolation so he could roost.

Yeah, Dumbledore bled a lot after his spur removal using that method. I may just clip them next time - it really freaked me out.

 

[GabrielBane]

I use a pedi-paws on my cockerels spurs if they get un-ruly, it's a lot of work, but I feel like it's worth it.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I've found the best way to de-spur a cock is by using the wood blade of a Dremel tool. I cut them at about one quarter inch from the shank. It's quick and bloodless as the blade cauterizes as it cuts. Absolutely do not use the metal cutting blade...it will get too hot.

Sometimes the best way is the most simple....just my experience (learned from Dad).

Aaron

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I've found the best way to de-spur a cock is by using the wood blade of a Dremel tool. I cut them at about one quarter inch from the shank. It's quick and bloodless as the blade cauterizes as it cuts. Absolutely do not use the metal cutting blade...it will get too hot.

Sometimes the best way is the most simple....just my experience (learned from Dad).

Aaron

I remember you saying that before (I think when my attempt led to bleeding) - question, how do you restrain the cock so he doesn't get cut by the blade?

 

[DesertChic]

I remember you saying that before (I think when my attempt led to bleeding) - question, how do you restrain the cock so he doesn't get cut by the blade?

It's a 2-person job. Even using the pliers, I held Bosch and my husband removed the spurs. Then I snuggled with him for quite a while so I wouldn't lose his trust..Bosch, not my husband. Bosch still loves me.

@Turk - I think that's what we're going to do from here on out. We watched multiple videos on multiple techniques and started with just a pair of pliers to see how it would work. I also bought a bag of potatoes in case the pliers didn't work, because we were VERY amused by the idea of using potatoes to remove spurs. Now I need to make steak and potatoes for my husband so the darn things don't go to waste, LOL. I think the wood cutting disc is what was recommended for the Dremel method. I'll be buying some fresh ones this week since I still have four other birds to do.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
@DesertChic , would you be willing to post photos if you try it that way?

Part of why I used the pliers is that a 2-person job isn't really an option for me, so I just did Dumbledore's spurs with him on my lap. He didn't really mind all that much, it was just the oozing. That, and I had a nice lime green Carhartt work t-shirt that now has blood stains all over the front.

I'm also considering just grinding them down a bit at the time - that seems like something more easily done by one person.

- Ant Farm

 

[Beer can]

@DesertChic
 , would you be willing to post photos if you try it that way? 

Part of why I used the pliers is that a 2-person job isn't really an option for me, so I just did Dumbledore's spurs with him on my lap. He didn't really mind all that much, it was just the oozing. That, and I had a nice lime green Carhartt work t-shirt that now has blood stains all over the front.   

I'm also considering just grinding them down a bit at the time - that seems like something more easily done by one person.

- Ant Farm

I just took about a 1/4 inch of the sharp tips off with a pair of dog nail clippers. One person job but my giant rooster is very mellow.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I remember you saying that before (I think when my attempt led to bleeding) - question, how do you restrain the cock so he doesn't get cut by the blade?

I try to have another person to help but it's not required. I have used Duct Tape to bind the wings and electrical tape to loosely bind the legs. Sitting down, hold the bird with head aimed toward your body and your legs can easily control it. It's easy enough to twist or maneuver the bird to suit whatever position you need to have it's feet.

Honestly...better to do it alone than have a 'helper' who is constantly having convulsive fits about the process and who might actually drop the thing mid-cut.

Once so bound, the cock puts up very little if any fuss.