clipping spurs

[Yardpimp]

I think this guy needs a pedicure! Can anyone tell me how to trim these and how brutal this is going to be?He is a pretty big bird.I would think they need trimmed right? He is never around children and not aggressive towards me or the wife but wonder if need trimmed for his sake.

 

[DuckPro]

http://www.communitychickens.com/rooster-spurs/

That might help

 

[TalkALittle]

Supposedly the hot potato method is quite easy and not brutal at all.

 

[aart]

Might find more tips and stories here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/2021015/?q=spur+trimming&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

@KikisGirls @casportpony test search link please?

 

[casportpony]

Might find more tips and stories here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/2021015/?q=spur+trimming&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

@KikisGirls @casportpony test search link please?

Your link works.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know you read a lot on here about trimming spurs. Some people feel it is something you have to do like trimming your fingernails. There are actually cases where you need to but the times it is really needed are pretty rare. If I have an aggressive rooster (which you say you don't) the spurs are not what gets cut with mine, it's the neck. Even removing the spurs leaves him with his beak and claws. And for those that keep a rooster to defend the flock why remove one of his weapons?

If the hens are barebacked the spurs can possibly cut them during mating, but the claws are more dangerous for that. Older roosters normally don't have the problems with acceptance, cooperation, needing to be forceful that cockerels do so long sharp spurs aren't generally a problem.

The main time you need to trim spurs is when they get long and curl up so they are penetrating the legs, actually growing into the legs and causing a raw wound. It's not always roosters either, someone posted a photo of a hen with that problem this spring. Or sometimes they get so long and twisted that the chicken has trouble walking or maybe roosting.

if long twisted curling spurs are interfering with quality of life, it's needed. If you have barebacked hens where the skin can easily be cut, taking the sharp point off the claws and spurs could be a good thing. I use a Dremel tool with one of those discs you use to cut metal but there are other methods that work well. But removing spurs because it's fun and sexy, no I don't do that. Only when I see a true need.

@casportpony after they switched platforms the link in my signature worked in Aart's signature but it wouldn't in mine. The moderators couldn't fix it so they kicked it up to Nifty. I don't know if he fixed it or if it was just something that eventually fixed itself, maybe an update to an operating system or something. One problem they've had in this new platform is some of the old links. Just because it works in one place doesn't mean it works in another.

 

[aart]

@casportpony after they switched platforms the link in my signature worked in Aart's signature but it wouldn't in mine.

They were testing my search link, in post above.....precipitated by another discussion.
Your siggy 'Space' link has been fine since NC fixed it.