trimming spurs

[Nicos]

Has anyone tried this???

I've been reading up that the spurs need to be softened daily with olive oil for a few days and them lightly trimmed- but not too short as they will bleed.

I'm thinking of doing this because when we get our Marans, the lads may need to grip on with the spurs to climb aboard the bigger gals- and I don't want them injured.

Since the teenagers have 'gone' the lads are calming down a bit, but have certainly become a bit more protective of the gals- and have started to square up to me if the gals aren't happy about something ( ie being chucked out of the nesting box when broody and sitting on nothing!!!!)
One of the lads did do the double jump at me so it's got me wondering....

I'm quite happy to have a go- I used to clip bunny claws and teeth()- how far into the spur does the circulation go????

Any advice is most welcome!!!!! Ta!!

[RichmondHens]

We only did it once on an old cock (now long gone) and now don't bother. Spur injuries can be nasty but don't happen very often. We just clipped the "point" off the spur with some rather heavy duty (human) toenail clippers to effectively blunt it. I should imagine that you will need to trim them back regularly from an early age to avoid them growing large (if that's what you want to stop happening). Our oldest bantam cock's spurs are wicked, but he has never injured a hen in his life. I rather think it's down to "technique". Injuries are more likely to occur when you have a smaller male trying to climb aboard a larger female. With cocks and hens of the same breed you don't get this happening as the male will always be larger.

[RichmondHens]

Try to nip aggression in the bud if your lads are starting to square up to you. A water pistol is fairly effective. They don't like getting wet. Use it at the first sign of any aggression and they will (hopefully) soon get the message.

[Snadger]

I grabbed mine by the neck and said, face to face "What the hell do you think you're playing at?" (Nearly got a peck on my nose for my troubles!!)

[Nicos]

The Marans gals will be larger than my boys- that's why I'm a little concerned ( got to worry about something ya know!!!!)

My thoughts were split on how to approach the lads....just go about my own business and offer them treats when I go near them so they know I'm no threat ( as I do now) and repect their space- or....stand up to them and then find I've encouraged them to fight back.

They both allow me to stroke their faces and actually enjoy it, so they're basically big softies unless one of the gals cries out....

They only come over to me to investigate why one of the gals is stressing out ( kicking them out of the nesting boxes when they've gone broody is an eg or when I'm kicking them out of the coop when I go in to clean it out)

[roitelet]

Show the Cocks who's boss!!!!!! I find that a stick works and the cock will go for the end of it and then a quick jab back a few times does the trick. I don't actually hit them but it is more like fencing. After a while the cock knows who is the boss and will leave you alone.

Best of luck

[Hilary B]

If they attack, make sure they get the worst of it (by whatever non-injuring method works). If they are just 'checking up' that their lady friend is OK, it may be best to bribe them instead.
You need to be boss, but if you can achive that without escalating the situation, so much the better.
I would take the very tips off those spurs, just to leave a blunt end (a couple of millimetres is all you would need to take off for that). If you can get 'dog nail' clippers, that might be safer, but with only a tiny tip to remove, it shouldn't be a problem with the sort you might use for human toe-nails.

[Nicos]

Thanks for that advice....I don't like to be confrontational unless I have to- I'm quite used to handling bad tempered/headstrong horses so I'm quite capable of holding my own if nec with the lads

I'll find an old broom to leave near the doorway just in case

OOOoooohh....my OH has a brill pair of toenail clippers!!!!!! ( ssshhhhhh)