Cockerel's spurs curve down and ripping hens, ideas please?

[palomino]

Having started with LF Orps, I have acquired several hybrid hens and have lost several Orps. I now have two beautiful, huge Orpington boys, one huge Australorp hen who hates the young cockerel - currently living separately with her solitary chick - and one smaller Orp hen in isolation recovering well from terrible wounds both sides. The other hens are all small.

The old buff boy's spurs curve upwards and he rarely damages even the little warrens and banty crosses. The cuckoo Orp is massive, younger and more 'active' with the hens, but his spurs curve downwards and he cannot help but tear them. The hens are all afraid of him and we have lost another Warren this week who was torn down to the bone. He's now living in the garden, out of the run, and it's miserable for him being the other side of the fence all the time. The claws are long and I know I can trim them, but with downward-curved spurs I think even blunt claws will cause damage. I'm guessing total removal is either not an option or if it is, a very expensive surgery, and I won't be going down that route. Seems a shame to put him down, can't rehome him to injure someone else's flock, and at least here he does have company, he just has to be fenced away from the girls.

What would YOU do?

[kathyd]

I have no experience of cockerels so may well have got old of the wrong end of the stick, but I've heard people talking about saddles to protect hens from cockerels' spurs? No idea what a saddle looks like, or whether it'd help with your problem, but maybe you could look into it?

[petal]

Yes, a hen saddle would prevent this. I personally am not keen on faffing around with this option (lice and stuff gather beneath saddle..) and replace cockerels at the end of their second year. A young cock is so much more virile and up to the job. I also make a mean coq au vin, so nothing is wasted. If I had a cockerel that killed a hen - thats where he would be within the hour- no way would this be tolerated.

[Nicos]

I'd do the same as Petal- although it might be worth asking the vet if anything can be done without much cost.

[petal]

if it is a show winning cockerel - otherwise why bother?

[RichmondHens]

The two options really are either have the spurs removed by a vet or fit saddles to the hens if you want to keep him with other chickens. Otherwise if he is an old boy and of no further use for breeding then I would send him to the freezer.

[TinkleCottage]

I've known people with OEG cocks with big spurs put modelling clay on the claws. Stops them being sharp at least.

[jessmorris]

I've heard of folk putting a hot potato on the spurs and twisting the horny coating off. But like the others say, if he's killing your hens (who after all are the more useful sex) then either rehome to someone with big girls or honour him with a great coq au vin. Soz.

[chris]

Yes, a hen saddle would prevent this. I personally am not keen on faffing around with this option (lice and stuff gather beneath saddle..) and replace cockerels at the end of their second year. A young cock is so much more virile and up to the job. I also make a mean coq au vin, so nothing is wasted. If I had a cockerel that killed a hen - thats where he would be within the hour- no way would this be tolerated.

This is going to sound stupid, but is that where the name coq au vin comes from?

[petal]

? Traditionally an older cockerel or surplus 6 month old cockerel would be slow cooked in red wine in France. Utterly delicious. I have 4 ready for this recipe right now - big fellas they are and happy as a pig in mud, freeranging around the place.

[jessmorris]

OK Petal, lets have your recipe then.....I have two Orloffs who will have to go and they are getting nicely heavy.....I can look it up ont net but if you have a tried and tested recipe I'd like to try it! Does anyone eat pekins?