Something weird is going on...hen with rooster spurs? (Picture)

[littlepip]

I was checking my chicken's feet today, and noticed what appears to be a spur, growing out of my Buff Orpington hen's leg, above her "ankle". (I don't speak chicken)

This "spur" is only on one leg. I don't have a rooster, so this leads me to wonder...can hens grow spurs? If so, I'm curious to know what causes it! Thanks!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

That is indeed a spur and I wouldn't worry about it at the moment.

They aren't really anything to worry about on hens unless they are getting very long or causing injury to themselves or other chickens.

It's common for some breeds of chicken were both males and females can get spurs (or just one spur) develop. Likewise, some males never get spurs.

There is quite a few articles around on google about it.

Just make sure it's kept a decent length and it shouldn't cause an issue

 

[littlepip]

whew! I'm glad it's normal! thanks!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

whew! I'm glad it's normal! thanks!

No problem!

I know it can be worrying seeing something unexpected pop up on your chickens. If they get long you can trim them similar to how you trim nails. I find filing them down progressively to take away sharp edges best. Less chance of bleeding

 

[littlepip]

I have goats, and I recently bought a hoof trimmer. the goats are miniatures, so the trimmer is nothing "hard core". can I use it to trim the spur?

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I have goats, and I recently bought a hoof trimmer. the goats are miniatures, so the trimmer is nothing "hard core". can I use it to trim the spur?

Snap! I also have goats

There is quite a few different types of hoof trimmers for them. I have two types. One that's like a potato/vegetable peeler and a semi blunted scissor type pair. The ones I have would be too big to use on a Chickens nails/spurs and may risk cutting even further than needed. Of course this just depends on what type you have though.

I've just found using a cheap pair of human nail clippers the best option. I then use a fine grain sand paper to file down sharpness off their nails. Although you could probably just use a nail file but it would go blunt quicker. If you do cut them, make sure you have something to dab on to stop bleeding, they bleed quite a lot if you clip too far by accident.

However, your chickens spur doesn't look long right now so I wouldn't do anything yet.

They only really need clipping/filing if they start to curl, catch onto things or cause injury. Most of the time spurs don't require clipping at all.

If you're ever unsure on if they are too long or not, you could just post back here on BYC and people would give advice