Showing roos and spurs

[riftnreef]

OK...I know exactly zero about showing birds, so I need some direction here. My kids just got some Seramas to show for 4-H and I discovered something odd on the roos. One of them does not have spurs, but the other has rather long nasty lookin' ones. Does is matter if a roo has his spurs or not for showing? Can they be removed?, and if so, how? The roo with spurs is very friendly, so I don't think I need to take them off, but my daughter will be showing the hens also, so do I need to worry about damage to them? Thanks for any input, and if you have any links on "step by step" chicken showing, that would be handy too...

 

[bigstack]

I'm sorry I cant help but here is a bump.
Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[saladin]

Showing and spurs:

Most breeds require the cocks to have spurs. This is so that the judge has an idea of age. So, you shouldn't trim them. However, if they are extremely long you can twist them off. This leaves behind more than cutting them off and it soon hardens. saladin

 

[riftnreef]

This little guys spurs are around 1 1/2" long, and razor sharp. I haven't seen him use them, but if he ever chose to....whew, that would hurt... The roo without spurs seems to be a bit older, so can I assume that his have been removed? He seems to have a bit of an attitude problem, so that would make sense. He has even bitten me a number of times...odd, I've never had a chicken "bite" me.

 

[saladin]

removed?

 

[riftnreef]

Seems so...I may have to take a closer look...that is he will let me. Funny how an 18oz bird can be so hard to handle. I don't know if it's fear of hurting him, or fear of him huring me that makes me hesitate....lol

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I think there's a video on youtube of how to...eer...twist out roosters' spurs.

Try typing in, "Removing rooster's spurs". Not exactly a fun job, and it certainly gives me the chills to think about, but it can be done. You can't control who has spurs and who doesn't, but I'd leave them if you want to show them. Judges tend to like when the birds looks most natural. And it also does help with telling age.

Shouldn't do much harm to the hens unless they wanna have a fight with the roos.

Not likely. And if these birds have only been with you for a short while, they're probably still just adjusting. I'd be more worried if he's attacking you. Biting usually means, "Get away" or "Don't touch me". In which case, things will either clear up...or not. If he's PECKING though, that's just mere curiosity showing. Give 'em some time. But don't bring a very nasty rooster to a show. Not a good idea.

 

[saladin]

Actually, twisting off spurs is not hard at all. Just hold the leg with one hand and with the other twist off the spur. Simple procedure. saladin

 

[riftnreef]

I think I have decided to remove the spurless roo any way. The hens don't like him, he has a bad attitude towards me and the kids. He tries to go after the chicks in the pen with them. All in all not a very nice bird. The other roo with the spurs has a wonderful temperment and the hens seem to really like him, so he gets to stay...