Spur management poll

[NorthwoodsChick]

Spurs serve as a primary defense tool for roosters and may not be a high priority issue for many people. However, spurs can present problems if they become too long or misshaped, leading to leg injury, lameness or hen injury. Human aggressive roosters can inflict serious injury to adults, but especially children.

I would like to hear from the BYC community on why you do spur maintenance, and what spur care practices you’ve employed.
The poll focus is on method of spur trimming or removal. Please, be respectful and nonjudgmental in comments regarding personal preferences.

TIA

 

[Folly's place]

Here we cut spurs back if they get long enough to interfere with the rooster's gait. Then, the spurs are so tough only a Dremel will cut them! One person holding the bird, one using the Dremel, cutting back by maybe half, so the rooster in more comfortable. Usually this doesn't get into the bone, so no bleeding.
And we NEVER keep an aggressive rooster!!!
Mary

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I trim them if they get sharp or long, I usually take ¼ off or as far as I can go without bleeding. Then I file down the edges.

 

[MamaPoult]

For me, if the rooster is going to use his spurs unjustly to harm people than he is not a rooster that can stay on this property. I didn't know that it can get too long an injure the leg! How interesting! If it came to that point and it was a good roo than yes I would cut and file them.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Other: I clip using a dog nail clipper when it's going to be dangerous for the male's own legs or are getting the male stuck in things (my polish male is awful at getting his stuck in the wire floor somehow), but I only clip what's needed and nothing more.

 

[SamLockwood]

Mine free range and I don't clip wings or spurs. I want them to have every chance to escape or defend themselves from predators.

If a rooster gets aggressive with me or the hens, I cull him instead of clipping spurs. You don't want to breed a rooster that attacks people or hens that aren't in the mood to mate with him, so what's the point?

 

[GodLovesU]

I don’t mess with my roosters’ spurs

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Spurs are how roosters defend themselves, I would never deprive them of that. No human aggressive rooster will ever be here to begin with

 

[Shadrach]

I just file the point off the spur tips and smooth the spur shaft if it's got rough.
I do this to help prevent the spurs tearing a gash in the hens side if the mating is a bit ungainly and the rooster slips. I've had to deal with torn flesh under the wing of a few hens and it's a horrible job. Toe nails as well if I see there's a potential issue.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My rooster's spurs point straight up at him, not sideways like they should so they can help him grip the hen. They are very tough and we're having a hard time keeping them trimmed. I suppose a dremel would be the best option.