7,821. A rooster’s spurs will typically start visibly showing development by no later than 7 or 8 months of age. It can still hurt a hen when he is breeding her. Sit down and hold the rooster on its back on your lap, using your thighs to hold him in place. thanks for any help . Many people recommend just pulling the spurs out with some pliers. OrganikMarket. Apply gauze or a butterfly bandage to the wound. I gotta try the towel wrap. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase. Rooster spurs become effective weapons for protecting a flock from predators and defending territory. Take the pliers and twist the spur to one side and then to the other side. Free Ranging. However, some hens may have spurs, although not as large as those of a rooster. In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2 or 3 months. A dremmel is the ideal tool to use when trimming your rooster's spurs. Trimming Spurs Tools Needed and How to Trim Safely. It looks like another toe (if you will) and usually has a slight arch. New posts Search forums. Is the Egyptian goose a duck? Although called a goose, the Egyptian Goose is actually a duck in goose clothing. It is an effective way to remove the keratin layer and remove the sharpness. You can soften the spur by rubbing it with oil or by heating a potato and then applying it to the spur. Ridgerunner, I'm not sure if I have the metal cutting wheel, but I'm trying to steel myself up for the task. If you use the potato method, remember to be careful to not touch the potato to the rooster’s leg. Dog nail trimmers work. The longer the nail, the further the quick has grown along with it. Rooster usually walks away like he is stepping on nails but usually gets over it within 30 minutes time. By: Search Advanced search…My Rooster is very gentle. Normal rooster behavior is to defend the flock from all comers. A second set of hands~until you get the hang of it. Hello I'm a newbie to rooster spur trimming. Takes just a few seconds. Rooster spurs have been an age-old problem that many backyard chicken keepers face. Nest, I medium firmly clamp the pliers on the spur, yet not hard enough to crack the spur. Using a cleaned pair of pet or human toenail clippers, trim a little bit of the turkey’s nails at a time, not trimming past about ⅛ inch as you go to prevent accidental quick cutting. Trimming and buffing the spurs 2-3 times a year, checking the feet for bumblefoot or injury, checking the scales on the legs for scaly leg mite, and administering meds and vitamins. Read More » Keeping Chickens. This will cause a. It looks like another toe (if you will) and usually has a slight arch. Dog How to Trim a Rooster’s Spurs Trimming a rooster’s spurs can be a difficult task, but it is important in order to keep the bird safe and comfortable. Its an "outgrowth of the legbone" but doesnt really mean it is a bone or attached to the bone. The following steps can be followed to trim rooster spurs: Hold the rooster securely to prevent it from moving or injuring itself. Look at each nail and determine which ones if any need to be trimmed. . They are used to fight predators and play a key role. 1. Can u cut a Roosters spurs? A safe way to trim a spur is to simply remove the sharp tip. I just trimmed the very end off - I shone a torch through and could see how close the quick was growing. I actually heard of that many times before and it just didn't cross my mind at the time. And like your fingernails, it has a quick that is directly attached to the leg bone. Forums. Selecting the right breed and setting up a. He still managed to rake up their sides. CathrynI have noticed lately that my older rooster Napoleon's spurs are extremely long and curving up and inward. A rooster spur is a pointy, mean-looking, clawlike growth on the leg of a rooster. just wondering if i could trim my roosters spurs, file them down, or completley remove them. . We've always cut the spur but sometimes got too close and it bled. Bloody, bent spur. A rooster spur is a long, sharp projection that extends backward from the leg of a male chicken. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase. "Good problems" aren't too easy to come by in the NBA, especially for the San Antonio Spurs — a team that finished with a bottom-3 record league-wide. Birds don't have capsaicin sensors in their mouths, not sure about skin. Any closer and you may cut blood vessels and cause the bird to bleed out. Must have missed the second ok! I am wondering how people feel about removing spurs. What's new. Cocks use the gaff, as well as their beak, wings, and claws, to attack. The kind of spur covers actually made for chickens are hard to find--I think it is illegal to ship them to most states, because it is assumed that they will be used for fighting birds. We trim roosters spurs if they are too long or harming the hens. This can be done by gently twisting the spur until it pops off. Twist several times until the spur pops off the leg. It wasn't pouring out but. In order to keep our roosters healthy and keep our hens safe from being injured while mating we remove the roosters spurs when they get too long. Place the rolled up rooster between the legs, his feet poking out the. Hurting them or hurting you. Both roosters and hens will develop spur bumps within weeks, for most hens it stops there. They are so hard that it can be difficult to trim them when needed. I have a precious rooster with spurs looking like game rooster mix. It is seldom a younger hen or rooster will develop spurs this long, it usually takes a few years. Simply use a metal file (purchased at any hardware or ranch store) and file the spur down as you would a fingernail. I followed the directions of using a hot potato. You will need to heat a potato in the microwave for about 10 minutes first. Think of the outer spur as you would a nail on your own finger. As the rooster matures, this will develop into a spur. I prefer to trim my rooster's spurs like a dog/cat nail. . Cradle the chicken into your arm to keep their wings secure. But I tried a new method, take a black marker and a flash light that’s. The Stuffed Hen. Rooster spurs are sharp, claw-like outgrowths on the back of each rooster's legs. Some bleeding can occur, make sure you have blood stop powder to stop the bleeding. Many people recommend just pulling the spurs out with some pliers. How do I. Sometimes I clip the very tip. As roosters get older, their spurs grow longer, and some can become very sharp and pointed, causing damage to the. Poultry Talk Ontario (pto. Some roosters register no pain and discomfort. Skip to contentDo chickens need their toenails trimmed? A normal chicken nail is rounded at the end, and the quick is not very far from the end—this nail does not need to be trimmed. . Search titles only. It's only because the potato softens the outer shell of the spur. Surgical Removal of Rooster Spurs. - How and when do you trim your chickens' beaks and nails? I trim nails as needed. Wrapping him like that seems to really calm him down. I hold my chicken under one arm. I use a guillotine type dog nail clipper for this, very sharp. The rooster spur can be trimmed with a saw, but it is important to not cut more than one third of the spur off. Some bleeding can occur, make sure you have blood stop powder to stop the bleeding. Sheath Removal. Mostly, spurs in roosters start with a bump that eventually grows to become a spur. They have a light arch and look like other toes. Now that is on my list of things to look for when rooster shopping. I’m not an expert and I don’t do a lot of research. Remember to handle roosters with care, wear protective gear, and. . Here are the steps to safely trim rooster spurs: Restrain the rooster to ensure safety. Yes, roosters need their spurs trimmed if they get long enough to interfere with their walking, too sharp, or curl around and risk growing into their leg, etc. Next, measure the width of the leg hole and cut a piece of fabric that is about the same width as your leg and about 1 inch wide. I’ve cut them and they have bled for a while but I’ve never noticed any major issues. Spur!!! The pointed weapon of Mr. November 6, 2022. I've never even thought of trimming his toenails or spurs. Hold the leg firmly as you begin to remove the outer casing, notice the placement of the pliers, if you get them too close to the leg, you will have trouble twisting them off. Also very small. Take a pair of pliers, ones designed to grip something round with teeth, and firmly grip the spur about 1. What I normally do is use my goat hoof trimmers to clip the ends so they are dull and flat. They can provide professional help and guidance to ensure the rooster’s well-being. If you want to trim her spurs, then use a dremel with a cut off wheel. But when I added a mature rooster to my existing flock that already had. My main target was to blunt the toenails (claws) because of the damage the claws were doing to the hen’ feathers. Trimming rooster’s spurs is easy enough, yet strangely I get a lot of people ask me how to trim rooster spurs. There are many people who successfully use wire cutters and toenail clippers to remove rooster spurs, but you need to be much more careful when doing so. This is our Black Ameraucana Roo, Tony Montana! See m. As a general answer, chickens can have fully grown spurs anywhere between the ages of 3-9 months. Sometimes the old methods are best. . The answer to this can vary greatly. It really was quite easy to snap them off, surprisingly. All chickens, regardless of whether they are hens or roosters, have a small bump or spur bud on the back of their shanks. Clipping rooster spurs. Step one: Place the undies flat on a work surface or the floor. A dremmel is the ideal tool to use. p_eh. Second, this is my prefered method. A new cutaneous outer sheath begins to grow back within days. Please see attached photo with website. How to Stop a Broody Hen . The spur is covered in a hard layer (similar to that of a beak). San Martin, Peru. But since the Dremel tool was out and the spurs were available I took the sharp point off of them also. After dark I go out to coop with a pair of sharp garden prooners wearing a head lamp and cut my roosters spurs back to an inch. Monitor the bird over time for signs of infection or other complications after trimming its spurs Dog 5 Easy Ways to Remove Rooster Spurs 1. Key Takeaways: Roosters have a two-pronged reproductive organ called a phallus or cloaca. Use some hydrogen peroxide and give them a good scrub with the toothbrush. Then I take a pair of needle nosed pliers and place them in the middle of the spur, up a little bit closer to the leg than down the spur. Jacquie Jacob Replied August 03, 2023, 4:48 PM EDT. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items. To begin, you should hold the rooster’s leg between your thumb and index finger and gently press down on the spur to flatten it. You will need a sharp pair of cutters to cut them, large dog nail clippers like these are ideal, or tool shops sometimes sell almost identical round wire cutters. You can, however, reduce their size and minimize the potential damage to your flock and to yourself. . New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items. If you are afraid of a. You will also need a file for rounding the edges off afterwards. Anyway, I did not see any blood. . Forums. Forums. You simply heat a potato in the microwave for one minute, then stick it on the spur. In this video I demonstrate how I trim my Roosters toe nails and his spars and explain why I'm doing it. God Bless. Let him settle, then take your flashlight and hold it beging his spurs, shining it through the spur. Jan 26, 2017. ca) Join the conversation all backyard poultry related. How. Trimming away the end of the spur sheath is easy and does not hurt the chicken in any way. The hens can wear them while the rooster is mating with them – it saves their feathers and skin a lot of wear and tear. New posts Search forums. Use clippers to carefully cut away any excess spur material until it is no longer than ½ an inch in length. Just so the girls don't get hurt or me anytime. The heat from the dremel will help cauterize at it goes. . By that age, cockerels will have long and pointy saddle feathers, while a hen. Unlike claws, spurs are normally straight or only slightly curved, making them suited to striking or stabbing. Yes. . Spurs can also curl back on themselves, causing damage to a rooster’s own legs. Removing them is often seen as the only solution, but it’s not the best one when you consider the ethical implications. Have someone hold the rooster firmly (head under arm) so you can hold his foot in one hand and pliers in the other. First, you will need to gather a pair of poultry shears, a piece of wood, and some petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. It’s made out of keratin, which roosters’ beaks are also made of. This can be done by gently twisting the spur until it pops off. Simply twist the spur at the base close to the shank until you feel it loosen, then simply lift it off. You do not cut or pull off spurs. Reply. As roosters get older, their spurs grow longer, and some can become very sharp and pointed, causing damage to the. You have given me something to think about. He cut it off pretty close to the leg with no blood. And like your fingernails, it has a quick that is directly attached to the leg bone. 134. Secure their toe with your thumb and forefinger to hold it still. Is there a way of maintaining roo spurs similar to you do a dogs nails? Trim them up lightly every month and keep them the same short length constantly. It was recommended by a veterinarian last year to start trimming the spurs after the cockerel is one year old, when the spurs start to grow more, and keep trimming little at a time as the spurs grow so that way the spurs never get too long. This can be done by gently twisting the spur until it pops off. What's new. I don't want to hurt the chicken (they are about 3/4in - an inch )Quick Answer / By James Core. Then put flour or blood stop on them. Many flock keepers trim rooster spurs to prevent unintentional injury. If you trim the spurs too far - or if you use the wrong tools, such as pet toenail clippers or wire cutters - the spur sheath can crack. . Grab a hold of a chicken. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments. 12 Years. 430. My rooster isn't even a year old so he does not need it done, but I was wondering about your thoughts on the baked potato method. When I cut them I just let them bleed. The top part of the nail will be thicker and in light colored nails it will be darker. If you use the potato method, remember to be careful to not touch the potato to the rooster’s leg. In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2 or 3 months. The potato must be re-heated for the second spur, as you leave it on the spur for about a minute. Spurs on chickens are quite hard and very sharp. This spur will be blunt so you don’t have to worry. Rooster spurs are those gnarly claw that roosters. Once the spur pops off, the quick should be exposed. 5,521. (Don't squeeze so hard that you crack it. *How to Trim a Rooster's Spurs* . When a. I've read about sugar and cayenne pepper in human survival situations. (Full answer)If you handle your roosters/chickens, when they are chicks, it will be easier to trim them when he is much larger and stronger. Move it up and down along the spur, and you should be able to see something inside the spur that is darker, but doesn't run all the way to the tip. Forums. People who do this say their boys act just f. The Dremel would need to be done slowly to prevent getting too hot. These spurs serve various purposes, from establishing dominance to defending against predators and rival roosters. Use some. A dremmel is the ideal tool to use when trimming your rooster's spurs. Trim the point, then keep nipping small pieces off millimetre by millimetre until you see a tiny dot of blood appear in the centre of the spur. I think he was about 10 months old but can't remember for sure. Mary This is a great idea. When a chicken doesn’t have hard surfaces to scratch against, the nails continue to grow until they curl, and then the chicken can’t walk properly. I also read to use a very hot potato and leave them on for a few minutes and then twist the spurs off. Depending on how long they are, that plays alot into it. Spurs may be trimmed to prevent injury to the bird’s handlers, to prevent the wounding of hens during breeding and to minimize injury in peck-order fights. 13K views 2 years ago. A safe way to trim a spur is to simply remove the sharp tip. Paper towel. We used the saddles. Now it's time to start a new thread in the Flock Management section to learn how to rehab the rooster. No, I would never allow a cock bird to have a spur longer than about an inch. Trimming spurs is very common and most easily accomplished with the use of a Dremmel tool and cut off wheel. In conclusion, maintaining rooster spurs is crucial for the health of your roosters and your entire flock. Removing your rooster’s spurs is a. Spurs can also curl back on themselves, causing damage to a rooster’s own legs. As it matures, Mr. my roos are starting to grow their spurs and a couple of them are getting pointed and hurting the hens. A common way to remove a rooster’s spurs is to twist off the sheath. As far as bleeding, he bled a LOT. To avoid snipping into the quick, trim a tiny bit at a time — no more than about one-eighth inch. A roosters spur is located about halfway between the chickens foot and hock. How to Trim Rooster Spurs . Usually you can trim the last third of the spur before hitting the quick. But that's just curiosity. Just wash it well and dry it. I did my usual routine of trimming the vent feathers and trimming the spurs and toe nails with dog nail clippers (didn't need to do the toenails in this case). How do you splint a chicken toe? Toes can be splinted with toothpicks or coffee stirrers, or taped into place on a piece of cardboard cut to the birds foot size. (Full answer)Many flock keepers trim rooster spurs to prevent unintentional injury. . You can soften the spur by rubbing it with oil or by heating a potato and then applying it to the spur. Do I trim or cut off? How do you do it? Forums. I've also seen the great pick and mix disaster where the keeper has got a rooster that is a different breed to the hens and much to large to be mating the much smaller hens. I don't want to trim them if they are not long enough. But this sounds like an isolated incident where the rooster was doing what roosters do, protecting. Trimming the Rooster Spurs When Roosters Are Still Young. The Scenic Flint Hills of Kansas. please help me. He's been inadvertently causing wounds on my hens during mating, not all the time, but it's happening once in a while, which is too much. 5 inches. A step-by-step guide to hatching eggs with a broody hen. New posts Search forums. Then a friend of mine helped me trim his remaining spur. Many flock keepers trim rooster spurs to prevent unintentional injury. Wire cutters or pet toenail clippers may be used, although clipping may cause the spur sheath to crack. Friends, if you like this video, you can help the channel grow: Rate the video! 👍 - I will be very happy and it will help the development of the channel. CeeCee - The rooster doesn't seem to mind having the spur sheath taken off. It's been a long hard winter and I notice especially on one of my hens, that her toenails on one foot are getting remarkably and painfully long. New posts Search forums. A neighbor advised to go in at night and snip them off. She was an older girl and not feeling the best. Bath Towel. Left untrimmed, rooster spurs can reach lengths that could become harmful to hens and, should a rooster have aggressive tendencies, to its owners. Roosters have the spurs to protect their hens, chickens and themselves against any. Most often however each time a spur grows back, it is smaller than the time before. i have chickens that are about 4 months old, 1 turned out to be a rooster, can i have some insight on how to trim the spurs when needed? Forums. How to cut and trim rooster spurswe had to trim his spurs because he was causing significant injury to his hensThe best way to hold the rooster is upside dow. Lots of hawks circling above, never lost a hen to a hawk since I have this rooster. If you were to see a cross-section of a spur, you would see the small inner cone of the quick entirely covered by the hard outer cone of the spur itself. Today we are going to talk about rooster spurs. Keeping Backyard Chickens Safe And Healthy By Trimming Beaks And Removing Spurs is a very good way to maintain the health and wellbeing of your backyard chic. Then, kneel on the ground so there’s a space between your legs. At the end of this bonelike structure is an extremely sharp point. The spur itself is not amputated. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments. Your rooster’s spurs start growing from a spur bud on their leg little up to the back claw. It requires a minimal amount of twisting at the base, and the spur sheath lifts off of the fleshy inner spur. Grab a hold of a chicken. To begin, you should hold the rooster’s leg between your thumb and index finger and gently press down on the spur to flatten it. What you can do is remove the sheath, which is the outer keratin layer of the spur. . Step 2: Pull the strap tight, enlarging the other side. What's new. At times there is a small amount of blood from taking the spurs off. Pretty neat procedure. GRUB TERRA Website Discount. . Hold the roosters wings close to its body to keep him calm. Nothing wrong with experimenting. Hmm, thought I posted this earlier but it never showed up. It's just a matter of semantics, you both are correct. Thanks!!! Forums. The spurs will fall off after 15-45 seconds. Does it hurt a rooster to cut his spurs off? While short spurs don’t usually cause harm, and we often use poultry saddles to provide some protection, excessively long spurs can easily tear the skin. I learned this lesson the hard way too, I had a roo I bought that was supposed to be 18 months old. I caught him, wrapped him up in a towel, used hydrogen peroxide. Here are a few to consider. His spurs are wide, thick and super-pointed. It is usually xbe of the way along the spur. I've never known anyone to file their nails -only their spurs. rooster becomes their hens’ guard and use their spurs as their weapon in order to protect their flocks and defend their own territory. A rooster’s spur is located about halfway between the chicken’s foot and hock. . I read to trim them at the base or leave just ¼" so he doesn't bleed to death. My hen, Tubs, healed up completely in a couple months and has since molted and grown lots of new feathers so she has plenty of protection from spurs/nails now. You’re probably wondering, does he really need those?And, if not, how do I de-spur my rooster?Well, the answers a. It's supposed to loosen the spur so it lifts off easily. Faceb. Spurs on chickens are quite hard and very sharp. Faceb. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright. If you do cut to the quick (the blood vessel inside the nail), the nail will bleed quite a lot. Cut too much, pain, blood and more pain anytime you hit your hand. Most often however each time a spur grows back, it is smaller than the time before. He used a little saw. The spurs and the toenails are a lot like yours. The rooster obviously felt no discomfort. Fill a pan with warm water. Spurs may be trimmed to prevent injury to the bird’s handlers, to prevent the wounding of hens during breeding and to minimize injury in peck-order fights. My older son, age 13, noticed a change. Roosters can hurt hens when mating due to their sharp spurs and aggressive behavior. My two year old Chantie rooster will be getting his spurs trimmed with a Dremel, they are so dense nothing else will cut them. New posts Search forums. Other tape is too sticky and could cause injury. Thread starter. I remove them with the pliers, twist slightly back and forth until you see the spur loosen at the base, then simply lift them off the nub. stuck out about an inch or so. How To Trim Rooster Spurs? Read More »31. His spurs were starting to cut his own legs, if that makes sense. You can trim, twist off, or glue beads on them. If the spur on an older rooster is curling back and hurting his. Trimming rooster spurs is a simple process that can be done with clippers. It’s finally happened. Like a dog's toenail. Trim feathers away from the edge of the wound. It gets longer and harder and eventually forms a sharp tip. I've never noticed a change in. In this video I demonstrate how I trim my Roosters toe nails and his spars and explain why I'm doing it. I have a huge rooster named Harvey that is great with the girls. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items. Many poultry owners keep an avian first-aid kit handy, stocked with antiseptic, opthalmologic ointment,. Because they Are jointed with the leg tissues. i am planning on getting more chicks and since i am getting bantams some of them will be straight run. Immobilize your rooster as described above. What's new. Harun, the person that started this thread hasn't been on this thread since before Christmas. Jan 26, 2022. But have the corn starch and bandage ready for any bleeding. Forums. For these reasons, long spurs on a hen may require grooming from time to time. . Rooster spurs are those gnarly claw that roosters. If you use the potato method, remember to be careful to not touch the potato to the rooster’s leg. Yes, you can trim a rooster's spurs, but you have to be careful of cutting too much off, and risking an infection. 5-2" from the leg. . New posts Search forums. You only need to trim your rooster's spurs for a few reasons: * Your rooster is aggressive and uses his spurs to attack people, other chickens, or other animalsI used the dremel tool and cut off about 1/3 of the spur. Will rooster spurs grow back? Your rooster’s spurs would most likely grow back again after some time – say six weeks, give or take. how long should they be before trimming. Just like with filing, be careful not to cut into the portion of the spur that has blood flow and bone. 6. . In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2. we put saddles on them but i am afraid one might get us. The spur. Any closer and you may cut blood vessels and cause the bird to bleed out. Mar 19, 2010 212 13 114 SE Missouri. Spray with Vetericyn afterwards. Here’s how. After all, spurs are a natural part of a rooster’s anatomy, so it would be unfair to remove them just because we find them inconvenient. Can I trim the spurs? Forums.