Hen with Spurs???

[Microwave Girl]

Thank you all so much! Does anyone know WHY hens grow spurs? (I have two other hens with suspicious knobs starting and I'm beginning to wonder if there is something in the well water.....)

 

[Ferretgirrrl]

I have 4 x 3 yr old astralorp hens - 2 of them have 2 long spurs, and one of them only has one spur and the bud of a spur. I don't have any roosters, and I'm wondering if they grew the spurs as a response to not having a protective male around?

 

[chrissynemetz]

I have 4 x 3 yr old astralorp hens - 2 of them have 2 long spurs, and one of them only has one spur and the bud of a spur. I don't have any roosters, and I'm wondering if they grew the spurs as a response to not having a protective male around?

I don't really think it has anything to do with not having a rooster around. I've always had roosters in my flock, and over the years I've had numerous hens with spurs. But they usually don't get as long as the roosters spurs do.

 

[Ferretgirrrl]

Thank you so much ~ that puts my theory to rest leaving me with some vacant mental real estate