Russian Orloffs

[Sylvester017]

It depends. If they are long and mature, they can be cut at about .25 inch from the shank and usually there is blood and needs to be cauterized.

Some folks twist them off with a vice grip or similar tool. I generally cut them with a small carborundum tool, then cauterize. In time, they will grow back. A valuable bird can be maintained early and often, covering the 'burned' spur stub with a medicated ointment like Kendall Udder Cream, made by Ken Ag. Top quality product!!!

I agree the Udder Cream like many products is good stuff.

So if there's bleeding removing the spur either by cutting or twisting off then there must be nerves too - causes some pain to the roo I imagine?

 

[hellbender]

I agree the Udder Cream like many products is good stuff.

So if there's bleeding removing the spur either by cutting or twisting off then there must be nerves too - causes some pain to the roo I imagine?

Doesn't seem to bother them...with in 5 minutes of being released from the 'keep', they are mounting hens and carrying on as if nothing has happened to them. I can't say they feel no discomfort anymore than a horse feels nothing when it's feet are trimmed and hot-shod but they live through it.

 

[gander007]

Quote:
I had purchased some heavy duty stainless steel clippers at the feed store many years ago and I have to hold the roo upside-down on my lap and just clip off little picas at a time till I am satisfied the spurs are short enough and I did not just take off a big chunk but trim it down a little at a time just like a barber cutting a persons hair and some times if I can find my rasp I file off the ruff edges .

 

[Sylvester017]

I had purchased some heavy duty stainless steel clippers at the feed store many years ago and I have to hold the roo upside-down on my lap and just clip off little picas at a time till I am satisfied the spurs are short enough and I did not just take off a big chunk but trim it down a little at a time just like a barber cutting a persons hair and some times if I can find my rasp I file off the ruff edges .

So the spurs are hard like cartilage or toenails and you can just trim/cut spurs like normal toenails? Is there a vein or nerves going through the spur that it can be felt by the roo to be cut/filed? For my hens that need toenail trimming I do a very little trimming/filing each day to give the toenail vein time to recess before I do more cutting/trimming. So far I've been lucky not to ever hit a toenail vein by doing the trimming in smaller increments for 2 or 3 days and having DH hold the hen while I trim is a helpful assistant.

 

[gander007]

Quote:
Yes there is a vein in the spurs and that is one of the reasons I cut off a bit at a time but the other reason a little is cut is it is awkward cutting a lot just like your toenail you are correct on this point ..

So yes be very careful with the vein

 

[gander007]

Looking to add some new blood to my flock of Spangled Russian Orloff so if you are interested in selling some pullets I am interested in looking at your stock ..

 

[FridayYet]

Wish I had some to sell. Good luck!

 

[gander007]

Wish I had some to sell. Good luck!

Thank you

 

[Olderthebetter]

You sent me a link (Post # 2183) that showed a white speckled hen - it looked like a hen anyway. Just gotta get more RO owners to speak up and share their white hen photos!!!

so pretty! I don't any that are that white. I have some hens that are whiter and whiter as they age.

 

[Olderthebetter]

Working on breeding the big whiter ones this year more- they are so much larger and have some nice faces.