I've got some roosters that are OK with each other but are very rough on the hens. I want to keep all three roosters as once I get the space finished, I want to separate out these three breeds again. But until I get them separated, I'd like to know if there is an easy way to remove the spurs as one hen that is frequently singled out ended up with her back end cut. We're assuming this was from the spurs. We've got her separated to heal but want to keep this from happening to the other hens. - Catherine

-- Catherine Gravert (ccalpacas@yahoo.com), April 23, 2002

Answers

You might want to separate two of the roosters, for now, it might be easier. If their wings aren't cliped yet, let them go, free range, until the new yards are finished, then clip their wings. (or pin them in small seperate areas, like fighting cocks) Those spurs are for holdin' on, since I've never found the nuggets, they are probably really important to fertile eggs... I've heard that the spurs are made up of stuff similer to fingernails, you can use dog type, nail clippers to trim them. Start out, a little at a time, until they are blunted. There may be blood vessels, close to the leg, be prepared to cauterize, with a pocket lighter(don't set the bird on fire, best to have a helper, with you) or a piece of iron, heated on the stove. If the birds are young, cutting 'half again, away, should be safe, they may need fileing, to get rid of sharp edges. good luck...lacyj

-- lacyj (hillharmony@hotmail.com), April 23, 2002.

It's all in the archives (older messages), but how you find this one escapes me at the moment, although it will be in one of the poultry categories. You could try Google (www.google.com), and search on "greenspun rooster spur". One thing I remember being suggested is a sort of electrical connector. It's made to go over where two wires are twisted together, then you just screw this plastic-covered cover on. Works for rooster spurs as well, apparently. I've bought them at Tandy.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), April 23, 2002.

Thanks Don! I read about that solution in a 50 yr old Mechanics Illustrated, but they used a different word for the doo-dad & I didn't know what they meant. Now I'll just raid dh's tool box & cap those spurs.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), April 23, 2002.

Easy way to de-spur roosters.Put a potato in the microwave for 5 minutes,or until REALLY hot.Stab hot potato onto rooster spur and hold there for at least 60 seconds,it seems like forever,I know.After this,while spur is still hot and softenened...using a glove ,give spur a sharp twist.Spur will pop off easily,causing no harm to the rooster.

I should mention this is the method I use ,as I have roosters and small children.It works easily,and spur pops off easily with little to no blood loss.

-- Johna (in central TX) (marcnjohna@aol.com), April 24, 2002.

Ooops,I use this method on the roosters,NOT the small children...lol

-- Johna (in central TX) (marcnjohna@aol.com), April 24, 2002.