When to trim spurs

[Ninjasquirrel]

This is our first rooster. We are quite fond of him. He even ran out to greet me today because he missed me. But he is starting to get his spurs. How often and when should I clip them?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Depends o if you want them sgort. I never make my males have shorter spurs. Going on six years for some of my males without a trim and they're marvelous looking

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Depends o if you want them sgort. I never make my males have shorter spurs. Going on six years for some of my males without a trim and they're marvelous looking

I just dont want them sharp. Dont really care about length

 

[aart]

I just dont want them sharp. Dont really care about length

Just keep the very tips trimmed off, that will keep them 'dulled'.
I use a guillotine type dog nail clipper for this, very sharp.
Can do the current cock while he's standing on the roost at night, GoodBoy!

Might be good to do the toenails too,
they can cause more damage while mating than the spurs.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Just keep the very tips trimmed off, that will keep them 'dulled'.
I use a guillotine type dog nail clipper for this, very sharp.
Can do the current cock while he's standing on the roost at night, GoodBoy!

Might be good to do the toenails too,
they can cause more damage while mating than the spurs.

We have a nail trimmer for our dog that is the same type as you mentioned. I never thought to do the toenails. I figured they would wear down on their own like my hens do. We unfortunately dont have a walk in coop so at night on the roost would prove impossible. I was thinking when it comes to it just wrapping him up in a towel. I do that when I go to process birds and it seems to calm them down quickly, also keeps flapping down to a minimum and keeps them from running off

 

[aart]

I figured they would wear down on their own like my hens do.

They might....but if they don't just nip the sharp tips.

I was thinking when it comes to it just wrapping him up in a towel.

That should work.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

They might....but if they don't just nip the sharp tips.

That should work.

Do chicken nails have a "wick" like dog nails do? Will he bleed from nipping the spurs? I dont want to open him to possible infection. Again it's our first roo. Want to be fully educated on the matter. He's nowhere near needing this yet

 

[aart]

Do chicken nails have a "wick" like dog nails do? Will he bleed from nipping the spurs? I dont want to open him to possible infection. Again it's our first roo. Want to be fully educated on the matter. He's nowhere near needing this yet

Quick
Yes they do, in the spurs too, and yes it can bleed bad if you cut it.
But cutting the very tippy tip, just the sharp point, should be safe.
If you do cut it use corn starch to stop the bleeding just like on a dog, I assume you have dogs?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Quick
Yes they do, in the spurs too, and yes it can bleed bad if you cut it.
But cutting the very tippy tip, just the sharp point, should be safe.
If you do cut it use corn starch to stop the bleeding just like on a dog, I assume you have dogs?

We have one dog. I have accidently cut her nail too deep before which is why I ask. I'll have the cornstarch nearby just in case

 

[aart]

We have one dog. I have accidently cut her nail too deep before which is why I ask. I'll have the cornstarch nearby just in case

Have done it more than once, over 23 years with 3 dogs, it's scary and can bleed for hours.
Started using dremel with coarse sanding drum instead of clippers,
if you grind too far it's just a tiny dot of blood.