How Does A Chicken Spur You?

[fowlweatherfriends]

Hi again, Yes, this is how he protects himself and the girls. BUT, if you are home when they range and put them up at night they should be ok. My roo gets to the point that when he mates he ends up tearing the girls feathers. My favorite girl got her wing torn a bit recently, so I knew it was time to remove them.

It's a judgement call. You have to weigh how much damage he is doing to your girls, and how much damage he is doing to YOU lol! Our roo is an OEGB (Old English Game Bird) and they have a tendency to be pretty snitty when the mood hits them. So as a safety measure with my children around, I rest easier with the spurs off. I am at home so I can hear if there is fussing in the yard and can go "save" him if he needs it when his spurs are off.

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

Her's some internet info on the particulars:

Removing Spurs

If you want to get rid of the rooster's spurs. It is very simple. All you have to do according to Stromberg's Book of Poultry is the following:
Place a hot baked potato on the spur and hold it there for a few minutes. Remove the baked potato, twist the spur and you will find it comes right off. There is no blood or mess. Use another freshly baked hot potato for the other spur. This technique really works well.
Advice: Don't eat the baked potato afterwards, let it cool off and feed it to the rooster instead.

Trimming Rooster Spurs

The rooster's spurs can be trimmed to about 1.5 cm in length with secateurs.

AND:

Trimming a Rooster's Spurs

Yes you most certainly can! I have four roosters and I trim them regularly. Just when you're doing it, be sure not to cut them too short. That's a bug mistake. It's better to be safe than sorry. If you're really worried about it, then contact a vet and they should be able to at least show you how to do it. Before you start, it is very important to make sure you are holding him tightly enough so that he won't move when you're cutting it. Then just cut it with the proper cutters. I find that using dog toenail clippers work well. Just make sure you don't cut it too short, because it could bleed. Just cut it short enough that he can walk and so that it isn't growing into his leg. Good luck....Viola

If they start to bleed, you can put some dirt in it, but some believe this is not a good method to use.

Instead of cutting them, which is dangerous, you can take a pair of plyers, place them at the base of the spur near the leg, and twist until they come off. It removes the outer sheath of the spur leaving a much smaller spur underneath. I do this to my show roosters as it makes them look more "classy" to the judges eye.

The plyer method will make them bleed, but I have never had one scream in pain yet and I've done thousands of roosters like this. Just put some water on the spur and dab some fresh household WHITE SUGAR on it. This will keep the spur clean while helping to clot the blood. The spur shell makes for unique jewelry/pendants too.

 

[djwingo]

Wow i cringed when i read this lol ugh i dont think i can do it i would feel as if i was hurting him maybe i can find a vet who will do it yikes im still cringing at the thought

love the lil advice abt not eating the potato yick!! rofl thanks great info!

 

[SpottedCrow]

I've done the hot potato method and it looked like I had OJ over for a visit. I do not recommend using it...The heat brings the blood to the area...
The twist off method is easier on both of you.

 

[hencackle]

You can use a dremel tool with a cut-off disc. Wrap your rooster in a towel and have someone hold him while you work on his feet.

If you think his claws are too sharp, use the dremel "sanding drum" and round off the claws. (I do this for my dog's nails too)

Here is a good link with pictures. http://www.slipspurbantams.com/TrimmingSpurs.htm

Stephanie

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Do you have Roosters? On the inside of each leg, they have a spur.....they can get quite long!! When they feel threatened, or that thier hens are threatened....they will jump up, and throw those legs at you.....digging in those spurs. They can REALLY cause alot of damage! Most people clip thier Roos spurs...I need to get mines done SOON!

Some roosters' spurs will not get that long and are not pointed.

 

[Sally PB]

Some roosters' spurs will not get that long and are not pointed.

Right now my cockerel's spurs are about 1/4 - 3/8 inch long big fat nubs. He's a 7 month old Buff Orpington. Could I be lucky enough to have a bird that will have short-ish non-pointy spurs? Oh please?