Despurring my rooster-I DID IT!!!!!

[CMV]

Even though I don't have roosters I watched that video on You Tube. He made it look so easy that I was skeptical. I'm glad to hear that it actually worked as shown. If I ever do get roosters I'm keeping that procedure in mind. Congratulations on a job well done. I would have been terrified to try it.

 

[Lach Cnoc Farm]

i think i know what video you're referring to. i watched one that someone videoed at a show. they just twist and POP!

i had to do this with my silkie rooster and he didn't seem phased at all. they will harden up again soon but its probably not something you should do constantly.

 

[mekasmom]

Quote:
That is brilliant. I have just been cutting the nail really short.

 

[halo]

That is amazing!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

All right, I watched the linked video on YouTube, and a related one where a show judge twisted the spurs off a bantam roo using just her fingers. (Must be one tough lady, I sure wouldn't want to get pinched by her!)

So I went out this evening to de-spur my roosters. Some of them have grown long, thin, sharply pointed spurs, others have thick, long curved ones. Some of my hens are awfully bare-backed, a few look like they've been getting electrolysis.

It really was as easy -- for me -- as described, just grab the base of the spur with the pliers, gently twist back & forth until you feel the pop of release, and pull off the sheath.

The only difference I encountered was the bleeding. In the video the man says there should be "just a drop" -- even though the bird he was holding was bleeding a bit more than just one drop. My roos bled even more than that, so I had the can of blood stop powder handy. I know the bleeding will stop soon, but it continued to bleed even through the powder.

But it will all be worth it if it gives my hens' backs a break, and they can grow feathers there once again.

 

[Maryallison]

Wow this is great to know! Thanks everybody! I will watch the video when I am ready to despur the guys! Just told my DH about it too!

 

[SarahFair]

Would it work on shorter spurs?
My roos about 2is years old and his are very short very thick and very sharp.

 

[logansmommy7]

The guy on the Youtube video said a few drops of blood and honestly it isn't that much. I did my roo's spurs on Friday after finding my poor barebacked hens with gashes in their skin. Yesterday, they looked a little yuck and bloody, so we sprayed some blue-kote on them and they are fine today. And btw-they must not be sore because he sure as heck had white feathers stuck to them as he had been doing the deed the next morning! I think the guy said a few drops of blood, meaning that there is minimal blood loss. And, he also advised using antiseptic or the like immediately after, and even separating the roo. I didn't separate mine, and so far so good. They look great today, two days out. No worries...

In regard to how long they bleed, I think about 12 hours or so is right, and is really, just drops. Nothing gushing...

 

[fourfeathers]

I used this method on my big roo and it wasn't very hard, just nerve-wracking. The crack-pop is kind of disturbing. Mine bled a bit more than a few drops like Sunny said. He bled off and on for a day or two every time he would bump his new spur it would bleed even with the bloodstop and blu-kote so am a little nervous to do again. Would the grinder or dremel (low speed) be better? I have 6 roos and am needing to despur again soon.

 

[happyhensny]

The plier deal is how I was taught by a APA judge. Not painful, easy and looks more "natural" than the blunt end caused by cutting. The blood amount varies but not life threatening at all.