trim down our roosters spurs

manyhensformum · **Joined:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:25 pm **Posts:** 2

What age can I trim down our roosters spurs I do not want them to ever have spurs because of the kids but I am not sure if I can do them under 12 months old?

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

Not really sure , but I would file them back as soon as I see a point on the spur, no need to take them right back, just round them off.

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Tue May 24, 2011 3:19 pm

In general a roosters spurs will not get a "point" until they are around 12mths old, prior to that there is no need to trim. I trim my roosters spurs annually, I have found using a hacksaw with a fine blade, you can cut them bach fairly short (3-5mm). The heat produced while cutting the spur seals the cut and you very rearly get and blood. This is a win for all invloved.

Rhode Red

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

I'm sorry Rhode Red, but I don't agree with your theory about a hacksaw blade creating enough heat to stem blood flow from trimmed spurs, maybe if you used an angle grinder you might create enough heat to reduce blood flow. Personally I'd use a file to round off the points,you don't have to take the spurs back to 3mm. By the way, have you noticed the spurs on the wings of some cockerels/roosters?

atkkate · **Joined:** Mon May 02, 2011 9:23 pm **Posts:** 5

this was on Better Homes and Gardens 2 weeks ago!!!'Dr Harry used an angle grinder, maybe u can watch the episode online. Hope that helps

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Tue May 24, 2011 9:31 pm

Purefeather, unfortunately you may not agree with my method (give it a go, you never know), however we are all here to help. Learning is growing, and you never stop learning.
As I mentioned earlier, a hacksaw is an easy way to go. The bird does not panic with the noise of the grinder or the risk of the disc hitting the leg if the bird moved quickly. As with all things, you just need to try a method you feel comfortable with. Having cut the spurs of roosters in the method I described over the last 15 plus years, I can certainly say there will not be any blood or I would have offered an alternative method. In term of the length you leave the spur is again up to the individual, I suggested the short length as you only need to do them around once a year. My experience comes from owning a very ruff male who managed to cut the sides of most of his mates every year. It is not fun having the stitch up hens, I will admit that his toe nails didn't help either.

Rhode Red

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

Fair enough Rhode Red, no offence meant. I'll give it a go myself one day, soon. I suppose my concern was that I couldn't see enough heat being generated to cauterise the cut.
Ps ,I'll keep some stocholm tar available just in case.

OakA · **Posted:** Thu May 26, 2011 7:56 am

I think fellas you could both be right and at the same time both be wrong.
A fine hacksaw or fret saw is all that is needed, although I have seen spurs upon which an angle grinder would have been quicker and more effective.
Generally a hacksaw does not create enough heat to cauterise where a grinder will but it does have it's dangers to the bird and the handler, a hacksaw is slower but safer.
However any bleeding is not serious to the bird anyway it will soon stop or can be covered with cobweb which holds the blood, congeals and seals it.
It is not necessary to take the cut so deep as to make it bleed, the end/tip of the spur is solid and you only need to remove the solid sharp tip.
Rhode Red it is the toes tearing the back and thighs of the hen when a male is trying to grip a female that does the damage not his spur.
But all this is unnecessary if it is for the safety and wellbeing of a child, an axe is more effective for any male that will attack and frighten a child.
Out of interest the outer shell of spurs if not too tough can be twisted off.
The old remedy was to boil a potato and put it on the spur for a couple of minutes while steaming hot, when removed the spur would slip easily off leaving a smooth slid spur core that did not bleed as a result of the heat, a remedy I have not tried as the above suggestions were always a more appealing solution.

manyhensformum · **Joined:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:25 pm **Posts:** 2

Big thanks to you all so much good advice I will wait until they are 12 months. I have read about this method https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek. ... r-removing or should I just get hubby to use the grinder as on dr harry show?

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

Don't forget the file, it may be a tad slower but you will get a better look at how close you are coming to the bloody bits.

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