hard skin needs cutting off advice

[karengoslin]

Yes, hens can grow spurs. Generally it is the older hens that this happens too. All chickens, rooster and hen alike have the gene to grow spurs. But in hens this gene is turned off. But as the hen ages, sometimes this gene can get corrupt and cause her to grow spurs.

If you do indeed think she has a spur that is growing improperly, you might take a look at this thread on removing a spur....https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/37548/removing-trimming-rooster-spurs

See if you can get someone to help you upload a pic so we can all see if this is a spur or not.

Good luck!

Thank you 2 crows. when they said spurs, I was thinking John Wayne So lady chickens can get spurs, I didn't know that. Right, I will tackle this problem now I know what it is.
I don't have a fancy mobile that takes pictures but I do have a digital camera and maybe that will do the job, trouble is finding the manual, its not where it should be, someone has moved it. I can see it would be useful so I will edge toward doing this. Thanks two crows, love the name by the way.

 

[karengoslin]

Two Crows has given me an ovation...ha! its on an email but I cant find it onsite...thanks two crows xx

 

[karengoslin]

Do you think piano wire,..fine would cut the spur off?

 

[karengoslin]

Where is it? what is it?

 

[TwoCrows]

Do you think piano wire,..fine would cut the spur off?

I wouldn't use piano wire as there is blood in spurs. Some people have used hot potatoes stuck on the spur and it then the spur falls off after a while. Check out that link I left for you on spur removal. There are a few good ideas on how to trim them on that thread. I have never done it myself.

Good luck!

 

[karengoslin]

ok thanks two crows...yes I saw the potato advice but its the twisting bit that bothers me...I will look at the link ..thanks

 

[enola]

Removing a spur is not painful. Have someone hold the hen for you. Take a pair of pliers and grasp the spur firmly and just twist the pliers. It will pop right off. There may be a drop of blood, but it won't bleed profusely. My rooster doesn't even make any noise when we remove his Spurs.

 

[karengoslin]

Hello everyone who offered help...two crows are you there?

Well, I decided to do this:- I put her in our bath so she was floating, scattered some corn which floated and then sat back in a chair while she had a good soak in nice warm water. She loved it and was floating round getting bits of corn. After about an hour, I got her out with a big warm towel and laying on her side wrapped up well I used some pliers and teased the spur off, it took no time. I put cornflour on the wound, hardly any blood...

Thanks everyone it worked a treat.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock (a few months belated)! We are glad you joined us!

 

[karengoslin]

Hello two crows, I am hoping you will get this post. I have been looking for you (not that good at it) Do you anything about Fish Zole? I have bought from America 250mg to treat an elderly lady chicken with Cancer. She had a black thing that grew on the side of her beak. She was rubbing the side of her beak today like they do to clean it after eating and it came off. It did bleed for a short while. I bathed it in a little warm salt water. The Fish Zole took a long time to arrive, too long. I've given her approx 175mg once a day. Its been two days so far.. Is this too much to give her?. She isn't laying eggs any more. I also bought some Copper Sulphate to add diluted well to the water for the other chickens who apart from 3 are very young. Please advise if you can or is there someone else who might know. There are suggestions on the net here and there but they all vary and dont mention ages etc.
Hope you are well.

Kind Regards Karen.