Removing spurs ?

[mmaddie's mom]

I have removed spurs before with the pliers and twist method and it has worked well... but yesterday I tried it for the first time on my main Rooster and it didn't work?!? Spur didn't twist and it bleed at the leg... I felt really bad... does it not work on all roos? Finally cut and dremeled them down a bit so he is fine but now I hesitate to try it on other roos? Thoughts?

 

[mmaddie's mom]

anyone?

 

[kathyinmo]

I have never done it, but I thought it worked on all roosters.

 

[dawg53]

I've used a hot potato from the microwave and put it on the spur for about 1 minute and pulled it right off....have to be careful not to touch the roos leg with the hot potato. There's a little bleeding but not much. I then wipe it clean with iodine and let the rooster go on his way. I'm sure there's other ways of despurring a rooster.

 

[tinychicky]

i personally perfer not to remove spurs entirely and risk infection- instead i usually just file them down. wrap the rooster in an old towel if he struggles and either clip of the tips of each spur with pet nail clippers and/or use a nail file to round them out. rounded spurs can do very little damage to hens (and to you). it helps to have a second person if you use this method, but it is also possible to do on your own. good luck!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

WIll probably use the clip and dremel method in the future... maybe try the hot potato... hated to hurt him and it had worked on other Roosters?

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Mostly I was removing them because they seemed to be in his way... hitting as he walked.