Hen with spurs

[Stevec80]

I have a a 3 year old hen that hasn't been herself for a few days. I checked her over and see nothing wrong other than she seems to be growing spurs. I've read that it is no big deal for a hen to do that. My question is whether she would be uncomfortable from that? She is walking softly so that's why I ask. I am just curious as I had never even heard of this before just a little research this evening.

 

[centrarchid]

I have hens with that are functional by time they are a year old. Biggest draw back is when they are broody. They are prone to loose more eggs during incubation, especially in the last couple days a embryos start pulling calcium for shell that make the shell more brittle.

 

[LaFleche]

Could you post a picture of her spurs?

If the spurs are too long and pointed or malpositioned and thus impeding her to walk properly, you could just clip the tips off and round the rough edges with a lime.

 

[Stevec80]

My camera is broken so the pics are super blurry. The spurs are on both legs and between 3/4 to 1 inch. They are both completely straight. They dont seem to be interfering with her walking. She still runs to me when I come out, she just kinda stays back from the other 7 hens. She has always been the boss. Lol. I'm hoping that maybe she is just a little sore and there isnt another problem causing her to step back.

 

[LaFleche]

One inch is quite long and more so if she has to sit on it at roosting time. I would just lime it down a bit so she will not hurt herself.

My question is whether she would be uncomfortable from that? She is walking softly so that's why I ask.

She might have an underlying issue going on, for instance ovarian tumors can lead to hormonal imbalance and the hen may even display rooster feathering somewhere down the line.

When was the last time she laid an egg?

 

[Stevec80]

I believe she laid today. I have 8 grown hens. I collected eggs yesterday around noon and just 30 mins ago I got 8 eggs. I believe one was definitely hers. It's hard to tell tho. I got all 8 which are a mix and match group when they were 18 months old so all laying

 

[LaFleche]

That sounds good. If she is still laying normal eggs the growing spurs might just be due to "old-age".