Spurred Hens... Is it a fault?

[Wolf-Kim]

I know that with breeds like the Sumatra, hens with spurs are very well liked for breeding stock. Are there any breeds where spurred hens aren't 'ideal' or any standards that mention some hens having spurs?

I just wanted to know, because I know with my Sumatras it's okay and actually considered good for the hens to have spurs, but my Mottled Java pullet has spurs as well. I don't have the standard for the Java and I was curious if there are breeds where spurred females are a no-no.

Thanks,
-Kim

 

[NYREDS]

It's adefect not a disqualification.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

For all breeds or just particular breeds?

I know that quite a few people like having spurs on their Sumatra hens, in the hopes she throws multi-spur cockerels. I wonder about other breeds though. I noticed that many of my friend's Modern Game hens were spurred.

A defect, meaning it's undesireable? Is this just for show birds or all birds?

Do you know the genetics behind a spurred female? Is it a dominant trait? Or something easily bred out through selection of offspring?

LOL. I'm not trying to be difficult if it seems that way, I genuinely want to know all those little details.

Thanks a ton, really!
-Kim

 

[ChinaChicks1]

a spurred hen just has more testosterone than others basically. It's an inherited, complex gene that is unknown..or never completely identified (allele). It overlapped the recessive and the dominant traits so that made it incomplete and it is a defect in all poultry breeds except for the sumatra..which you will want to breed for multiple spurring (3 or more).

 

[wclawrence]

I raise mostly longtails, and I know that generally hens that are spurred tend to throw nicer stags than their no-spur sisters. Increased testosterone is genetic for sure, and stags with more testosterone are better looking and more cocky. I have a rooster that throws spurred pullets almost every time I breed him. In fact most of his pullets have spurs.