How Does A Chicken Spur You?

[djwingo]

ok ive heard everyone talk abt spurring but havent had this experience yet thank god lol what is it exactly???

 

[CashmereSussex]

ya no the sharp pointy thing on there leg? they jump up and dig down with it

 

[justusnak]

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!

 

[speckledhen]

And I would add to that, hopefully, not more than once!

 

[akcskye]

When Billy did this to me the other day, it happened so fast that I didn't realize it right away.

He literally jumped up about waist high, and it felt like he hugged me with his legs for a quick second, then he was back down on the ground, walking around like nothing happened.

Then, it dawned on me..."did that sucker just spur me?"

Sure enough, I pulled up my pants leg and had 2 small punctures on the inside and outside of my left shin, just below my knee.

Fortunately, his spurs are only about an inch long and just now starting to be a "little" sharp...so we're trying to find a vet right now that can show us how to remove the spurs first, then once we see it done, we'll do it ourselves in the future.

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

Hi, You can use dog nail clippers if you like. The spur removal process is not as hard as it seems. You probably won't need a vet to show you. One of the EASIEST ways is to heat up a potato (microwave or bake), push it onto his spur for a few moments, remove, and take pliers and TWIST the spur off. It will come of neatly and cleanly. There may be a tiny bit of bleeding, but you can dust or dip the spurs in flour or cornstarch to help it clot. What is left is the softer "flesh" that is underneath the hard spur.

We do the potato and pliers method now. It is really quick, does not seem to hurt the rooster (other than his pride lol!), and there is minimal bleeding.

Best wishes!

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

When you remove the spur does it grow back?

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

Its like a fingernail-yes it will grow back. I'd say every few months you have to do the spurs. We let ours go awhile, but when he accidently hurts a hen it off with the spurs.

 

[djwingo]

wow thanks guys for the info i had nc you could clip them but isnt this how he protects himself and the others?

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Interesting..I had only ever heard of clipping the point off of the spurs. Had no idea you could take the entire thing off.

A friend told me they sometimes fall off on their own and when that happens, the other roo's notice it and start challenging the spur-less guy for his spot in the pecking order.