635. ) Seeking vet assistance: If a spur seems infected, or if you’re unsure how to trim or file a rooster’s spurs, seek assistance from a vet. 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. Spurs can also curl back on themselves, causing damage to a rooster’s own legs. The optimal ratio for roosters to hens is one rooster to every 10 hens. What's new. Golden Lace Wyandotte roosters have spurs after they are around a year-old. How To Trim Rooster Spurs (Easily) One way to trim a rooster’s spurs is to roll the rooster in a towel, chicken feed bag or even a sweater to gently restrain him. Use a pair of sharp clippers to trim the tip of the spur. He cut it off pretty close to the leg with no blood. My roosters started growing noticeable spurs/"nubs" when they were 7 or 8 months old. The folks at Rural King in Huber Heights, Ohio, allow us to remove Rudy's spurs when they get too long. Paper towel. The rate of growth differs in each bird. There's a great article posted on the BYC somewhere. However, before you. Our rooster's spurs aren't very long, maybe only an inch or so, but they are pretty pointy. 5-2" from the leg. This prevents the hen from getting burned. Head protrudes from one end, feet the other. At the moment they are maybe 1/2" long, blunt and smooth. 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. Right before the Quik, just like a dog. I have let my roosters' spurs grow out in the past, and have found that they are not really useful as they can tear up a hen's back, and one rooster damaged. Silkie hens are smaller than silkie roosters. . At times there is a small amount of blood from taking the spurs off. Quote: X2 I have seen a youtube video on it. This can be done by gently twisting the spur until it pops off. Forums. If your rooster’s spur is causing problems on your coop, this might have to become part of your routine maintenance. This can lead to infections, cuts, and other injuries. The rooster obviously felt no discomfort. OrganikMarket. However, they can also be a nuisance and potentially dangerous. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments. How to Stop a Broody Hen . There are a few good videos on youtube on doing the spurs on a rooster. What's new. Gently rotate the bird onto their side. He used a little saw. Take the pliers and twist the spur to one side and then to the other side. The spur itself is not amputated. Today I went out to take care of my flock. Soak your rooster’s feet in the water for a few minutes, as this softens the skin around the spurs. Jul 14, 2008 #2 Cara Songster. CathrynI have noticed lately that my older rooster Napoleon's spurs are extremely long and curving up and inward. Though we're going to get a Dremmel to make it quicker and easier. Just like with filing, be careful not to cut into the portion of the spur that has blood flow and. . comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . Spurs are dangerous to other chickens and humans. If you want them to breed well you will even have to give them a booty bath! LOL!!! If you keep the rooster healthy and happy, your hens will benefit too. I find it sufficient to trim them once a year in the spring before breeding season hits full swing. Articles. 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. I don't want to trim them if they are not long enough. During mating, the rooster inserts one of the prongs, known as the. If you use the potato method, remember to be careful to not touch the potato to the rooster’s leg. Where, if you trim the spurs by cutting or clipping, you leave a blunt end. Can you cut spurs off a rooster? Just like pet claws, rooster spurs can be trimmed via clipping. Farm 4. Step 2: Pull the strap tight, enlarging the other side. 241. But have the corn starch and bandage ready for any bleeding. Normally you will not need to trim the spurs on a rooster. how to remove spurs from a roosterIt’s best to have somebody hold it for you while you try to remove the spurs. Forums. By then they are tough, and take a dremel to cut. Sounds like you have done the right thing, chickenmomma2. This is how we trim the spurs of our roosters. They grow harder with their ages, be a little-curved shape with a developed sharp tip. Hi, I’m trying to cut my roosters spurs with a dog nail clipper, but he moves way to much and it looks like it really hurts him. Most people never trim the spurs. You don't want to cut too close or flush with the leg. Clipping rooster spurs. also my roo's spurs are getting very long. When I cut them I just let them bleed. Your sweet young rooster has grown some vicious-looking spurs. You will need a sharp pair of cutters to cut them, large dog nail clippers like these are ideal, or. That's the quick. Locate the base of the spur where it meets the leg. If the spur on an older rooster is curling back and hurting his. so if we use a dremmel to trim them to 1" long will they bleed or is it like trimming your own nails if you don't go to shortMost roosters grow spurs throughout their entire life - the longer the spurs, the older the rooster (that is, as long as the spurs were never trimmed), although I don't think Cubalayas grow spurs. How to cut rooster spurs . The Dremel would need to be done slowly to prevent getting too hot. Spurs can also curl back on themselves, causing damage to a rooster’s own legs. So after softening it up, you are suppose to pull it off. . While sometimes these squabbles are hot lived, other times, the matches lead to the death of one or both roosters. I just put neosporin on it and go. Spurs on chickens are quite hard and very sharp. The spurs can be clipped or filed down. It looks like another toe (if you will) and. This will cause a. . Ensure that the hot potato doesn’t come into contact with. 8,213. It's generally a pretty old rooster but occasionally an old hen will run into these problems. How much can I trim without. It can also be painful for the bird and cause permanent damage to its legs. To remove a roosters spurs you'll need a pair of pliers and some cornstarch or blood stop powder. 10 Years. Take the potato from the microwave and stick it to your rooster spur carefully, ensuring that it does not touch the leg. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments. Some “cockers” cut off the birds’ spurs, which are the natural bony protrusions on the legs, so that more deadly, artificial. That can grow into the leg and cause a wound. The hens can wear them while the rooster is mating with them – it saves their feathers and skin a lot of wear and tear. Today we are going to talk about rooster spurs. Skip to contentTrim the spurs before they become too long and sharp. say_yah_to_da_u. Rooster spurs are just like a human nail or a dogs claws. . Forums. It is common to witness the outcome of a fight with one bird injured and unable to continue or dead. . The main goal is to take the sharp tip down so that the rooster won't hurt the hens or himself when he walks or worse, stab someone or another rooster by flogging. I trim slowly, a bit at a time, watching for the quick. A saddle is definitely a good idea. It is a good idea to trim roosters spurs to keep them short, every so often. It is seldom a younger hen or rooster will develop spurs this long, it usually takes a few years. Trimming roosters spurs is easy with some basic tools. Maryland. Left untrimmed, rooster spurs can reach lengths that could become harmful to hens and, should a rooster have aggressive tendencies, to its owners. Which still leaves the sharpened inner parts of the spur. I use a guillotine type dog nail clipper for this, very sharp. The following steps can be followed to trim rooster spurs: Hold the rooster securely to prevent it from moving or injuring itself. Must have missed the second ok! I am wondering how people feel about removing spurs. If you want to trim her spurs, then use a dremel with a cut off wheel. . Some like to use a hot potato, and I may give that a try next time. 13K views 2 years ago. Gail Damerow is the author of Storey’s. This sounds weird, but it’s an actual method called the potato method. Hmmmm, I have no clue. Poultry Talk Ontario (pto. In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2 or 3 months. Before chickens could fly, they used their wing and leg Spurs to climb trees for safety or nesting. A common way to remove a rooster’s spurs is to twist off the sheath. "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. Roosters grow spurs (bony, sharp conical projections) on the backs of their legs as they mature. If you need to trim your roosters spurs, you can clip the tips and use a nail grinder to blunt them. Hey there! Welcome to The Happy Chicken Coop YouTube channel. Many people recommend just pulling the spurs out with some pliers. It never grows back and in my opinion diminishes the rooster’s ability to defend the flock. At the end of this bonelike structure is an extremely sharp point. In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2 or 3 months. Step 2 - Give the rooster’s feet, legs, and spurs a good wash. Then clip the spurs off with a sharp tool. Remember to handle roosters with care, wear protective gear, and. Its an "outgrowth of the legbone" but doesnt really mean it is a bone or attached to the bone. Rudy and Judy are mascots that live in the store. With one hand firmly holding the shank steady, clip the top of the spur away. A dremmel is the ideal tool to use. . As roosters get older, their spurs grow longer, and some can become very sharp and pointed, causing damage to the. You can saw them off, or file them down. Roosters could be put in with hens every third day. By: Search Advanced search…My Rooster is very gentle. My family have had chickens for 40+ years and have never had to trim spurs, but aside from culling Olaf that would be our only option to protect the other hens. In hens, this bump normally stays dormant throughout their lives. And like your fingernails, it has a quick that is directly attached to the leg bone. In some individuals, spurs can start to show as early as 2 or 3 months. Apply gauze or a butterfly bandage to the wound. . Aug 30, 2007 3,267 12 221 NM. Spurs can also curl back on themselves, causing damage to a rooster’s own legs. New posts Search forums. Many poultry owners keep an avian first-aid kit handy, stocked with antiseptic, opthalmologic ointment,. Cut too close and you cut into the "quick" so to say. They can provide professional help and guidance to ensure the rooster’s well-being. I think she let it go to concentrate on feeling better. Spurs do have a "core" and improper removal can cause pain and bleeding so keep this in mind with whatever method you decide to. It is an effective way to remove the keratin layer and remove the sharpness. How to Restrain the Rooster? To trim a rooster’s spurs, you will need to restrain the bird. New posts Search forums. Chickens often go into a calm state while their heads are. Wrapping him like that seems to really calm him down. Holding the leg with one hand, grasp the spur with the pliers and gently twist slightly in a clockwise motion, then turn back in a counterclockwise motion. You will also need a file for rounding the edges off afterwards. Here’s how to go about it. 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. Forums. Expert Response. Make sure to file down the sharp edges of the remaining spur. What's new. Poultry Talk Ontario (pto. How far can you cut a rooster’s spurs? The rooster spur can be trimmed with a saw, but it is important to not cut more than one third of the spur off. Just like pet claws, rooster spurs can be trimmed via clipping. In this video I demonstrate how I trim my Roosters toe nails and his spars and explain why I'm doing it. You can place a cloth bag or a t shirt over his head while you trim to calm him down. A drill with a cutting disc would work too. CeeCee - The rooster doesn't seem to mind having the spur sheath taken off. Do not do this, you will cause your rooster pain. It's possible it could. I have a huge rooster named Harvey that is great with the girls. Twist his spurs and they’ll pop right off, leaving the soft new spur underneath. Let me do a search - hopefully I'll find it and post the link. Put him back and revisit next weekend. The answer is learn how to handle the rooster, not cut his spurs off. What's new. 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. Preventions Preventing beak and nail trimming is quite simple. This is how we trim the spurs of our roosters. File them off with something like a Dremel tool. . He has been in a large enclosure so he could see them just not be with them. It’s finally happened. If it changes color, you’re very close to the quick and should stop trimming. Or the spurs grow in a way to interfere with the chicken walking. Spurs are made from keratin, which is the same substance that human fingernails are made from. If you do cut to the quick (the blood vessel inside the nail), the nail will bleed quite a lot. Turn the rooster over on his back with someone holding him. Now that is on my list of things to look for when rooster shopping. Fill a pan with warm water. It looks like another toe (if you will) and usually has a slight arch. 86K subscribers Subscribe 152 65K views 7 years ago. Typically, it’s mostly roosters that grow spurs. Not sure what to recommend to put on it. What's new. My main target was to blunt the toenails (claws) because of the damage the claws were doing to the hen’ feathers. Southern Indiana. I don't trim spurs unless they get long enough to interfere with his walking, or causing injuries. However, the proper way to remove the spur (as I have been taught) is to hold the rooster by both legs in one hand and with the other hand and a pair of pliers, twist the spur gently as if unscrewing it. 3. So when the spur comes back, it is immediately sharp. As for the toenails trim them as you would a dogs toenails being careful to avoid the blood vein or core on the inside. See full list on morningchores. Caught a rooster that day, got my pliers,held the leg firmly, clamped the spur with the pliers, rocked it a little, and I was amazed to see. It will come off with very little blood and very little pain (I think, I've never had it done to me. we sprayed the quick with Blue-Kote to prevent bugs or infection. As far as bleeding, he bled a LOT. Use some. Well, spurs are a part of identifying hens from roosters. Mar 19, 2010 212 13 114 SE Missouri. With a partner holding the chicken securely, hold the foot firmly in one hand, isolating the toenail to be trimmed and the nail clippers in the other. Faceb. That's the quick. Get someone to hold the bird, cut the spur 3/8ths-1/2" out from the leg. Once the second spur is removed, dust both with cornstarch or. . The spurs will fall off after 15-45 seconds. . #6. 2. Trimming helps protect your rooster and keeps you and your family safe as well as your hens!! In this video we quickly go o er how to do it!! #homesteaders #. Yes. What's new. I don't want to hurt the chicken (they are about 3/4in - an inch )Quick Answer / By James Core. Spurs do serve the purpose of a defensive. CUDA has a great article on his website. A metal file can then be used to round and smooth down the clipped edges of the spurs. Trimming rooster spurs is easy enough, yet strangely a lot of people do not know how to trim rooster spurs. Hudson, Colorado. 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. First is to pen one rooster away from balance of birds so roosters are not competing by who can mate the most often. Some hens will grow spurs however as I’ll explain in more. Bath Towel. As it matures, Mr. 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. May 14, 2012; Thread starter #3 tamtam84 Songster. No you can't remove them permanent. You can usually take about the farthest third of the spur before hitting the quick, but for your one rooster you might have to trim a bit at a time, giving the quick some time to recede like you do with a dog with really long nails. New posts Search forums. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items. I just trimmed the very end off - I shone a torch through and could see how close the quick was growing. Grab a hold of a chicken. Before (left photo) and after (right photo) Roro's spurs were trimmed. Trimming away the end of the spur sheath is easy and does not hurt the. I did this two nights in a row. New posts Search forums. The folks at Rural King in Huber Heights, Ohio, allow us to remove Rudy's spurs when they get too long. 7,821. We can miss the damage from spurs as the wings can cover up sore and torn skin. From this point on, no farmer can be sure how long it will take for the rooster spurs to grow fully. It should twist right off and the outter shell should come off. Takes just a few seconds. Once the spur pops off, the quick should be exposed. A spur is a part of your rooster’s leg bone, so it’s a bit like a bone outgrowth. . Clipping Just like pet claws, rooster spurs can be trimmed via clipping. Spray with Vetericyn afterwards. WE are the alfas!I think rooster spurs are one of those things that just keeps on growing and growing and growing if not trimmed/broken off, so I imagine that they get pretty long after a while. Secure their toe with your thumb and forefinger to hold it still. Take a pair of pliers, ones designed to grip something round with teeth, and firmly grip the spur about 1. Make sure to file down the. 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. 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. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase. Rooster spurs depend on chickens, the kind of breed you get, and the individual rooster's characteristics. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items. In this video I demonstrate how I trim my Roosters toe nails and his spars and explain why I'm doing it. New posts Search forums. Use some hydrogen peroxide and give them a good scrub with the toothbrush. 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. U can trim them as shown in YouTube videos some use some cutters some use potatoes method. If by yourself, use one hand to hold their foot and the other to do the trimming. New posts Search forums. . Then when a chicken scratches on one of those surfaces, the nail or beak. There is a blood supply to the spur but that is locted closer to the foot. I like to handle my roosters every night to ensure that they stay friendly etc. We can pick him up and carry him around. Now it's time to start a new thread in the Flock Management section to learn how to rehab the rooster. But that's just curiosity. Key Takeaways: Roosters have a two-pronged reproductive organ called a phallus or cloaca. You can soften the spur by rubbing it with oil or by heating a potato and then applying it to the spur. What you are describing sounds like what my roo was left with when I was finished. It is a straightforward job to fit a poultry saddle. Nope, he should know that you, as the keeper, are not a threat. New posts Search forums. Cut just above it, then file the edges to a rounded nub. 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. A part of the spur will be covered by flesh. Work gently and hold the leg still while you’re trying to remove the spurs. Be sure to select a set of clippers large enough to fit around the spur; the sharper the clippers, the more quickly the procedure will go. My older son, age 13, noticed a change. 9 Years. A rooster’s spurs, too, can grow too long for the bird’s comfort or safety. Do… Read More »Do All Chickens Have. You do not cut or pull off spurs. Another hen, Liliana, had a bare back, so. You take a pair pf pliers and grasp the spur firmly, then twist it quickly. 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. Here are a few to consider. Roosters have the spurs to protect their hens, chickens and themselves against any. It looks like another toe (if you will) and usually has a slight arch. 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. Get someone to hold the bird, cut the spur 3/8ths-1/2" out from the leg. Its an "outgrowth of the legbone" but doesnt really mean it is a bone or attached to the bone. How To Trim Rooster Spurs? Read More »31. I’m not an expert and I don’t do a lot of research. (Full answer)Many flock keepers trim rooster spurs to prevent unintentional injury. Is the Egyptian goose a duck? Although called a goose, the Egyptian Goose is actually a duck in goose clothing. But when I added a mature rooster to my existing flock that already. Can I trim the spurs? Forums. Some bleeding can occur, make sure you have blood stop powder to stop the bleeding. Thank you so much for watching guys, we hope you love the time and effort we put into these. 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. when first saw my husband do that i felt so bad for the rooster he cryed out, some say it does not hurt them , but really i belive it does. Then just round off with emory board or sandpaper. Unfortunately they pull out lots of the hens feathers during mating. Holding the leg with one hand, grasp the spur with the pliers and gently twist slightly in a clockwise motion, then turn back in a counterclockwise motion. my roos are starting to grow their spurs and a couple of them are getting pointed and hurting the hens. . Our rooster (the rock) has grown some impressive spurs. When they are young, you will notice a bump on the inside of the leg. how long should they be before trimming. In this short video, we show you the easiest way to remove a rooster's spurs quickly and efficiently. This is called the ‘quick. Filing: If you prefer to take the edge off or blunt your rooster’s spurs, filing may be the method you prefer. Obviously (although apparently not for some) the rooster isn't able to place his feet in the right. Especially if the rooster’s spurs are allowed to grow long or jagged, they can hurt hens during mating. 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. Unfortunately they pull out lots of the hens feathers during mating. Mostly, spurs in roosters start with a bump that eventually grows to become a spur. Normally you will not need to trim the spurs on a rooster. . Grab hold of your rooster and wrap it in a towel or blanket to immobilize it, leaving one leg exposed. Please see attached photo with website. You can use pliers or specialized spur cutters, being gentle and avoiding damage to the rooster’s legs. . Skip to contentHow short can you cut a Roosters spurs? Be careful not to trim too much off the spur. First, you will need to gather a pair of poultry shears, a piece of wood, and some petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. I have about the same situation with my rooster, about 2 and hadn’t attacked. ca) Join the conversation all backyard poultry related. . If I were to start removing the sheath or taking a Dremel to them now, will they stay short with maintenance like a dog whose nails are trimmed regularly. 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. San Martin, Peru. The Dremel would need to be done slowly to prevent getting too hot. The safest and most humane way to do this is to file the spur down. The spurs and the toenails are a lot like yours. Trimming is only necessary if they become a problem. You can soften the spur by rubbing it with oil or by heating a potato and then applying it to the spur. he is tearing up my hens, and a saddle is not an option for my hens. Twist several times until the spur pops off the leg. You can wrap the leg in a seperate towell, with spur exposed, if you want to. Also very small. New posts Search forums. Credit on the vet video @drtrentshrader . Free Ranging. I caught him, wrapped him up in a towel, used hydrogen peroxide. 632. Jan 26, 2017. . Since the dremmel can be noisy, some birds may do better with help from the nail clippers. 5,521. Although the cockerel seemed to be working well I was disappointed with the amount of. Can you cut off a roosters spurs? Just like pet claws, rooster spurs can be. The spur is used as a weapon to puncture skin and cause. HOMELESS TO HOMESTEAD: Trimming a rooster's spurs can be a bloody challeng. Once you are certain it is clean, treat the wound by thoroughly applying an antibiotic ointment. The average silkie hen may grow between 8 and 14 inches and will reach a top weight of 3lbs or just slightly under. They should calm down a bit after some secure, gentle holding. It is a good idea to trim roosters spurs to keep them short, every so often. Yes, you can trim a rooster's spurs, but you have to be careful of cutting too much off, and risking an infection.