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Can I trim a cockerels spurs?

 
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Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 08 12:01 pm    Post subject: Can I trim a cockerels spurs? Reply with quote
    

& if so hows the best way to go about it?
I have a welsummer cock with particularly sharp spurs & he has injured two hens now, tearing the skin on their backs.
Both are fine after an application of purple spray but I want to try & stop it occuring again & don't want to invest in saddles.
Any advice?

pookie



Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 4984
Location: Mid-Wales
PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 08 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

yes trim the tips to make them blunt. We use a dog claw clipper from a pet shop. It does the trick very well, just don't go too crazy!

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 08 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I use a hacksaw. Spurs are like our finger nails or dog claws, in as much that as long as you don't cut into the quick its painless for the bird.

I rub the hacksaw blade in softish soap before use and this seems to help the blade go through the spur more easily. You need someone to hold the bird and to present the spur and then someone to do the actual sawing.

Nanny



Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales
PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 08 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

we used poultry shears on aesop, years ago

unfortunately FIL did it and went too far and he bled a bit so we cauterised him (aesop n ot FIL) with a soldering iron....worked a treat actually but you don't want to have to do that

Wombat



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 396
Location: SW Cheshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 08 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yep, use sheep foot trimmers.
If you cut too close either cauterise or dip in freezing cold water for 2-3 mins to form blood clot.
Best to cut in winter time!

Wombat

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 08 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What effect does the seasons have on spur trimming then ? If you are handy with a dremmel then it does any cauterising required ( there shouldn't be any by the way ) for you as you do the job.

@Calli



Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Galway
PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 08 10:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Look just do it regularly enough and you wont have these problems

Come on proactive animal keeping please

And if you had seem the debacle of separating the american game this evening you would be reaching for the body shop files

Wombat



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 396
Location: SW Cheshire
PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 08 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What I meant is Winter water is much colder!

Wombat

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 08 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks folks.
I've blunted his spurs (& hopefully not his ardour).
His latest victim is doing well & doesn't appear to be showing any after effects of his over zealous passion.


Lorrainelovesplants



Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne
PostPosted: Fri Aug 01, 08 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I file mine down with a big file. Never thought of dog nail clippers!

Nanny



Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales
PostPosted: Fri Aug 01, 08 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

if you are worried about the laceration his claws and spurs could make on the girls you could always get some saddles....i put them on the turkeys every year and they don't suffer from claw marks that way

www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Turkeys/BRKSaddle.html

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 08 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You can snip the end off a spur with the nail clippers but you are still going to be left with a long spur with a fairly sharp point.

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