I need to vent!

[Katie386]

I had a Rooster a very beautiful friendly rooster. I loved him so much but he was hurting my hens. I looked up how to remove the spurs and I did the potato method. Well that’s not for me I went weak at the knees and felt horrible for my baby who was bleeding. I made the decision that I could not keep a rooster if I had to do that ever again. So I rehomed him and all was good. Then one day a random rooster showed up and would try leading my hens away but when they wouldn’t go with him he decided to stay. I do t know who he belonged to and I didn’t care I don’t want a rooster hurting my hens. So I re homed him. A few weeks later Guess what happened... another rooster ended up in my yard with two hens. Again I don’t know who they belong too but I figured fate was telling me to keep a rooster. Until one of my hens has huge gashes on her sides again. I’m soo angry that these roosters keep showing up. Why!? What’s so great about my yard!? Don’t they have hens of their own!? Who owns these birds and why do they let them wander! I take good care of my hens they never wander and it’s so upsetting seeing them hurt. I don’t care whose rooster this is He is in my yard and I’m going to rehome him too. If another rooster shows up I’m going to scream and pull my hair out. This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve gone through. Anyone in Henderson texas wanting a free rooster come get him. I used to love roosters with their cute personalitpies but now I HATE roosters.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Rooster spurs can be easily managed. No reason to hate them.

Some will bleed after spur removal, some bleed alot, some very little, or not at all.

But removal isn't always necessary. You can just clip the pointy tip, or file down till it's round, & blunted.

I've had the same issue with roosters accidentally gashing the hens, it's not their fault if their spurs are too long. I routinely go over each rooster to see who needs a trimming, or pulling.

Sorry you're having a hard time.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you considered chicken saddles for the ladies? Not sure what to do about the magically appearing males, but saddles help protect their backs

 

[MysteryChicken]

Have you considered chicken saddles for the ladies? Not sure what to do about the magically appearing males, but saddles help protect their backs

Somewhat. Depends on spur length. Still had a hen get a gash on her hip while wearing a saddle. They do help reduce feather damage though.

 

[Cynthia12]

I was going to mention chicken saddles also.

 

[nuthatched]

Saddles or other methods of spur trimming could have been used. Also, while roosters tend to have favorite hens, having enough helps even out the wear. Your best bet is to properly secure your hens or yard, since they are attracted to the sounds of your hens.
Sorry you had a bad time but you can't hate roosters for doing what they do.

 

[Jenessa_096]

I’m so sorry about that!

 

[raingarden]

Somebody in the neighborhood just kicks their excess cockerels out of the pen and lets them disappear. It works great from their perspective.

 

[getaclue]

Get one of the battery powered trimmers for dog nails. Like this: https://www.chewy.com/dremel-7300-p...erm=4584688617261510&utm_content=All Products

You can get them several places, this is just one, and an example. Set the rooster on your lap, on his side, then hold his foot, and blunt the spurs. Make sure the toenail does not overheat, and burn him. Just dip his foot in cool water, for a minute, at short intervals, to prevent the spur from overheating, and burning. You don't have to make them too short. Check toenails too. Unless the spurs are really long, it's usually the toenails that do most of the damage. Put plain neosporin type, triple antibiotic ointment (without pain relief) on the gash, then wrap in vet tape.

Sometimes it's not the nails themselves, but awkwardness due to lack of experience, or getting experience with new hens. Give it a bit of time, and it usually resolves itself. Practice makes perfect.

There is no reason to hate a rooster that's good to your girls, simply because of a pedicure.