Curved spur

[katharbour]

We received a hen recently who has a curved spur which appears to be penetrating the leg of the hen. We are unsure what to do with this. Hen does not appear to be in pain. Please see pics attached.
Thanks for any feedback.

 

[DobieLover]

View attachment 1694808

We received a hen recently who has a curved spur which appears to be penetrating the leg of the hen. We are unsure what to do with this. Hen does not appear to be in pain. Please see pics attached.
Thanks for any feedback.

Use a pair of plier style dog nail clippers (like the pair shown below) to cut about 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch away from where it is touching/going into her leg then pull the piece out. If it had penetrated, spray the wound with vetericyn or any other antibacterial spray you have. Then keep slowly nibbling away at the spur to further shorten it. If you take small amounts each time, if you hit the quick it will not bleed too much.
Have some styptic powder, cornstarch or flour on hand to pack the cut tip of the spur with if you do hit the quick.

 

[azygous]

You need to be concerned about this. If you don't take steps to remedy it, she will eventually become crippled by it.

If she were mine, I would remove the outer sheath of the spurs by using the twist and lift off method. You do this with a simple pliers by grasping the base of the spur close to the shank. Twist back and forth very gently until you feel the spur sheath loosen then become free. Then simply lift it off.

Under the hard spur sheath is a little pointed flexible nub or quick. Spray with Vetericyn. Have some sugar or corn starch handy if it bleeds. Most spur removal doesn't. The nub will dry in a couple hours and harden in a couple days.

The reason I recommend this method rather than just filing down the spur tip is that removal will hopefully allow for a normal spur to grow back that will be easier to file down in the future.

 

[DobieLover]

You need to be concerned about this. If you don't take steps to remedy it, she will eventually become crippled by it.

If she were mine, I would remove the outer sheath of the spurs by using the twist and lift off method. You do this with a simple pliers by grasping the base of the spur close to the shank. Twist back and forth very gently until you feel the spur sheath loosen then become free. Then simply lift it off.

Under the hard spur sheath is a little pointed flexible nub or quick. Spray with Vetericyn. Have some sugar or corn starch handy if it bleeds. Most spur removal doesn't. The nub will dry in a couple hours and harden in a couple days.

The reason I recommend this method rather than just filing down the spur tip is that removal will hopefully allow for a normal spur to grow back that will be easier to file down in the future.

Do you think it will be too difficult to do the "twist and pull" method of spur shortening when the spur curves 180 degrees and the tip is likely imbedded in the leg shank? Maybe after it was cut back a bit it would be easier to get the keratin coating off the quick.

 

[The Phantom]

I can’t see the pics. It says the page is restricted

 

[red horse ranch]

You need to take care of this asap. This is very painful for her. I have roosters with this problem and once a year or so I have to cut the spurs back. I use horse hoof nippers because that is what I have. But wire cutters or anything strong should Work. I try not to get into the quick to avoid it bleeding.
I wouldn't try twisting off the spur while it is still embedded in her leg. Let us know how it goes.

 

[katharbour]

I can’t see the pics. It says the page is restricted

Iam not sure why it says restricted. I did not restrict the post. I want people to see it and give their thoughts.

 

[The Phantom]

Iam not sure why it says restricted. I did not restrict the post. I want people to see it and give their thoughts.

Maybe it’s my iPad?.......

 

[katharbour]

UPDATE: I was prepared to make multiple snips with nail cutter for the curved spur. As I pulled the spur away gently from the hens leg, the outer Keratin layer came off exposing the nub underneath. It was so simple and it came off easily. I trimmed the nub and will keep an eye on it from here on in. Thanks for all of your suggestions ))