rooster spurs

[chicken42626]

I have a rooster can I cut his spurs off? Will it hurt him if I do it should I take him to a vet?
he does not have them yet what should I do?

 

[luvmypets]

It depends. Spurs arent a bad thing if its a nice roo. And you can cut them off.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

I normally just file them down ....

 

[Frindizzle]

from Washington! BYC is the best fowl website you can find.

I hope you feel glad you signed up! In our flock we have great people and it is always great to have a new member In our flock, we have no pecking order!

By the way, not saying that you will do anything bad, but no fowl play

Totally agree:

It depends. Spurs arent a bad thing if its a nice roo. And you can cut them off.

 

[chicken42626]

I read a couple of posts on the forum about removing the spurs with microwaved potatoes. The instructions were to microwave whole potatoes (one per spur) and, when fully hot, to stick the potato onto a spur and hold for five minutes. After removing the potato, quickly grab the spur with pliers and twist firmly

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! I would recommend trimming his spurs, particularly If you have any visitors (especially children) who come around your rooster. Trimming a rooster's spurs will them less dangerous and cocky, and will help alleviate potential injuries to your hens. You can either snip the sharp ends off with a pair of wire cutters, cut them off with a dremel motor tool, or (as gander007 suggested) file them down. Just be careful not to snip, cut, or file too deeply so that you cut into the quick, which can cause profuse bleeding (you only need to cut the sharp tips off). Good luck with your flock.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! There are several threads with various methods of trimming spurs, ie https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/37548/removing-trimming-rooster-spurs

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[drumstick diva]

I've read about the hot potato trick too but, wouldn't have the personal fortitude to try it.

.

If you free range your birds he may need the spurs to help protect the flock from predators. Some
birds don't grow large ones, just wait and see.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I would leave them on as long as he is a friendly roo and is not hurting you or the hens. But Kelsie left you with a good link to read thru on how to remove them.