Chicken Spurs

[hens2makesmiles]

When I realized my Rhode Island Red had spikes growing out the back of her legs, I nearly puked. I learned from a friends that they're called spurs and that it's perfectly normal, but I'm still a little scared. She said you can trim then with dog nail clippers but I don't want to without knowing for sure. How do I do this?!?!?!?

 

[Free Spirit]

No... I would not even attempt to trim them. Also, are you she is not really a he. Roosters have spurs.

There have been some hens to develop smaller spurs it is most commonly found on Roosters. Attempting to trim them if you are not sure of what you are doing can result in blood loss in the bird and that can spell trouble.

 

[Sutremaine]

My female chickens of about 20 weeks have little spikes. They're about half a centimetre wide and stick out a little less than that, but they're definitely pointy. If I didn't know what they were I'd think they were an odd type of scale.

Why the near-puking? Do they look sore in any way?