How Long Can A Rooster Wear Breeding Muffs?

[purefoysgirl]

I recently bought some breeding muffs for my rooster, Gorgeous George, since he was tearing up my hens with his spurs (they point inwards, short and sharp). They came with zero directions and he's been wearing them comfortably without really fussing at them, but I wondered how long he could wear them for? I planned on taking them off a day or so every few days to be safe, but he can't go uncapped long without hurting my hens. I couldn't find any answers on the internet about it anywhere and the place that sold them to me was kind of vague about it, not really sure themselves. His feet haven't changed color, his nails are still healthy, he only picks at the muffs occasionally and doesn't act like they bother him. Can anyone give me advice on how long he can wear them or a schedule for on-and-off? I would really appreciate it. There are three other roosters in our yard so George is only able to court two of my most docile hens (saddles have not worked) and he has given both of them really bad wounds to this point, so these spurs are really an issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[PeepersMama]

Ok, I have never heard of breeding muffs, but if George only has two hens he can call his own, you need to either get ALOT more hens or go down to one roo. I personally am a roo conoseiur - I will only keep the well behaved boys who are gentle with the hens and will go after predators. It sounds like George is a breeding machine - I probably wouldn't keep him

 

[purefoysgirl]

I have 29 hens, there are only two he pays attention to. I can't in good conscience get rid of my roos to people I don't know, and no one would take them anyway. Killing them is not an option, I am not a meat eater or a killer. Thank you for your advice, but I would like to get opinions on the muffs themselves and how long to keep them on.

 

[lazy gardener]

Are you planning to hatch chicks from him? I sincerely hope the answer is no. If his spurs are as defective as they appear to be to the point where they are causing injury to the hens, you certainly don't want to pass this defect on. Personally, I would cull such a roo.

 

[purefoysgirl]

Culling is not an option, I just really would like to get advice on the muffs. They do their job, keep his spurs from hurting anyone. I do not breed chickens, I have no interest in accidentally having more roosters and zero interest in hurting any of them. George and the other roos were part of a hatchery shipment that was supposed to be all hens. It's not his fault he's a boy and I have no interest in killing him for their mistake. I really just need advice on the muffs. Thank you for your response, but really the muffs are my main inquiry.

 

[Mrs. K]

I do understand you position on the muffs. I too, have never seen them. I am going to suggest that you examine them closely as with him caught in your arms, and I think I would examine them about every two weeks to once a month. Spurs do not really grow that fast.

However, I think you can really trust your bird to a point too. If the bird begins to be highly aggravated by them, then I would catch him and examine them. If he is mostly ignoring them, I don't think I would worry about it.

I have also read that one can remove the outer hard shell. It is relatively painless from the video's that I have watched. I have a rooster that I am going to do this too, maybe in early January, before the "sap begins to rise" so to speak. It is not uncommon for the spurs to grow to absurd lengths, even making it difficult for the bird to walk. So if the muffs don't work, perhaps this would be of help.

Mrs K

 

[purefoysgirl]

Thank you so much! They really have made a huge difference for my hens, so I think they're a good investment. He's more of a game bird so his spurs are small but they are very sharp. If all else fails, we might try the potato method to remove the outer nail. Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful!

 

[donrae]

Well, learn something new every day

I've also never seen those, but I kind of like them. The idea, anyway. Please keep us updated how he does with them.

So, I'm just going on my nursing background, where we were taught about keeping patients in restraints. Sounds like you have the basics down, checking for circulation is the biggie. If they're too loose, he'd just shake them off. Too tight, you'd get compromised circulation, with the feet getting dark, difficulty walking, etc.

I thought at first they were like hobbles, but they're individual for each leg, aren't they? Cool.

I agree if you take them off every week or two, should be enough. You can twist off the outer shell of the spur also, that may keep them fitting better. And just be aware of him. Of course if he has problems walking, etc, you'd check right away.

I'm intrigued to see how they work for George!

 

[Jensownzoo]

Well those are cool. I would make sure they aren't impeding circulation like @donrae said, make sure they aren't rubbing the skin raw, and you probably want to disinfect them on a regular basis to be safe (making sure they are completely dry before reapplying). If you notice the skin getting irritated, leave them off and maybe give the feet a spritz with Vetericyn spray. I think there are too many factors at play to give you a hard and fast schedule.

 

[aart]

Huh...don't think I've ever seen those either.....had to googlethat.
Looks like they are a training accessory called 'gloves' for that cockthingwedon'ttalkabouthere.
You probably won't find much info on them here at BYC....but there may be other forums where you could find more info.

How soft/flexible are they? Probably hard to explain, wish I could touch one.
More googling tells me they are likely silicone.....a nice material.

Agrees with Jen...a lot of variables for a fast hard number.
Regular inspection/cleaning would be a very good idea.

Now that you'd ascertained that circulation is not an issue, I would be more worried about stuff 'growing' under them.
It looks like he might have some scaly leg mite, scales look a bit lifted?

Have you thought about just filing off/rounding over the sharp tip of spur using a human nail file or emery board?