Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Rooster Spurs


Spring must be in the air because my turkey gobbler has been fluffed up for a week and yesterday they were breeding! Now that the chickens are laying again soon we will start thinking of setting chicken eggs to hatch.  



But we started noticing that the roosters spurs were getting awfully long and we don't want him hurting his honeys so we decided it was time to take care of the problem. 
 

As you can see he is a big healthy boy with some healthy claws but he is gentle with humans. 
 

If you look in the picture of the hen above you can see that when a roosters spurs get too long they can tear up the back of the hens. If you have too many roosters they can keep the hens backs absolutely bloody. Sometimes I have seen a rooster pick one hen over and over and injure her back as well.    

They also make saddles for hens to prevent this but they can be pricey. I have seen patterns online for making them yourself. But for us we simply remove the spur. 
 

It's rather simple. You will need pliers a paper towel and some antibiotic spray or ointment.


 

O Wise One   simply holds the rooster firmly on it's back with his head under O Wise One's arm. He takes the pliers and gently grasps the base of the spur and gently turn or rotate until you hear a slight pop. The hard outer covering of the spur breaks loose and you can simply slip it off. There will be a little blood but not nearly as much as if you cut that. What you are removing is the hard outer cover of the spur itself. It is similar to your fingernails.
 

The part remaining is actually an outgrowth of the leg bone itself and you do not want to damage that in any way. We simply use a paper towel to blot any blood drops that may form on the remaining stump gently and spray with an antibiotic ointment. 

 

The rooster is then isolated from the hens for a week to heal.  Once healed he is placed back with the hens. Doing this once every year or two greatly reduces the damage to the hens backs. The hard outer covering will eventually grow back.   


I have read that some people take hot cooked potatoes and place over the spurs and allow them to remain on the spur for a couple minutes. Once the potato is removed the spur comes off easier. I have not tried this method though. 

We do like removing the spurs so much more than cutting the spurs the way many do. There seems to be much less trauma to the bird and much less bleeding.  

Blessings from The Holler 

The Canned Quilter

30 comments:

  1. I am going to file this in my mental rolodex. For years Ive heard about the damage to the hens back and usually the solution is to get rid of the rooster! You save money by doing it your way as you dont have to keep buying chicks if you dont want to. I clip my dogs nails when most are squeamish about it. I think when I eventually get my coop I can handle this too.

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  2. Thank you for this information it has been quite helpful.
    We have one large Salmon Faverolle rooster
    and he is the sweetest thing but his spurs really tear up the hens.

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  3. I will be giving this a try this weekend. Thanks for the step by step photos. I learn so much better by seeing than just reading and this is perfect. Thanks again.

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  4. Very helpful info! I would have thought to just cut them off. I also like hearing about the tasks that O Wise One takes care of around the farm. For us single women out here that are moving towards farm life, need to know how to do these things that have traditionally been 'mens' farm jobs. Thanks CQ and OWO!

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  5. Thank you for the very informative post! I live in the suburbs so we couldn't even have a rooster if we kept chickens (we don't) but this is just the type of info that someone like me who might be romanticizing having a little flock should know about. It seems only right that before you take on the responsibility of any of God's creatures you need to know the bad as well as the good and prepare for it. I think it would be sweet to have some hens and enjoy the eggs but knowing some of these medical needs and ultimately worrying about needing to cull the flock keeps me from going further. Thanks again for sharing with us.

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  6. Hope you are off doing something wonderful and fun, and not sick or anything!

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  7. Wow - I had no idea! Thanks so much for the good info and photos.

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  8. I found your blog while on a rabbit trail looking for American made gardening tools. LOL and I see in your profile that you are from Georgia..I am a native Georgian and have lived here all my life. You just looked like someone I would like to get to know...maybe you can visit me too...
    Love, Mona

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  9. I have really been missing your blogs! I hope all is well with you and your family. Thinking of you.

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  10. I hope that you are ok, I keep checking everyday to see if you have posted anything.

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  11. Miss your posts, hope all is well and you're just relaxing and taking a break.

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  12. I miss your posts very much too. I hope all is well with you and your family.

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  13. Hope all is well with you and the family.....Miss your posts. Know spring is a busy time on the farm.

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  14. Not wanting to be a pest, but I wanted you to know that I'm worried, as I can see others are. I may just be spoiled, but I'm so used to you posting regularly. I wanted you to know that you're on my heart and I pray that you, O Wise One and Baby O, as well as your other children and grand-children are all well. It is funny how connected you can feel with some people from regularly following their blogs.

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  15. Praying you and yours are all well.

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  16. Hope everything is ok. I have been checking every day for a new post.

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  17. I too have been worried about you and have checked your blog many times hoping for a new post. Hope you and yours are ok.

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  18. Yes I do have been concerned and miss your post..trying to talk someone into doing this to my rooster I just dont have the heart..Be well and Blessed

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  19. Yes I do have been concerned and miss your post..trying to talk someone into doing this to my rooster I just dont have the heart..Be well and Blessed

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  20. Just wanted to stop in and check on you. Praying that all is well with you. Sure do miss your posts and hope that you are ok.

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  21. CQ! I miss you. I hope all is well.

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  22. Has anyone tried to send an email? I thought about it, but wasn't sure if I should. I am very worried about CQ and her family.

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  23. Mary, After reading your post I sent her an email. Will post if I hear anything.

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  24. Thanks Grandma Zee, I am coming here regularly hoping that she will post that she and her family are fine. I've been worried about them.

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  25. I also am very concerned about CQ. I keep checking in & checking the comments to see if there is any word from her. We all need to Pray for her & the family. This is not like her to be gone so long.

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  26. I have missed you.

    Hope all is well and spring has reached you.

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  27. Hugs to everyone and I have prepared a post for tomorrow I have been very ill but am feeling better now.

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  28. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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Feel free to challenge me, disagree with me, or tell me I’m completely nuts in the comments section of each blog entry, but I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, or anonymous comments) – so keep it polite, please. Also I am not a free advertisement board if you want to push a product on my comments I will delete you fast !!!

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