| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| TAVASCAROW |
Can I trim a cockerels spurs?& 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? 
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| pookie |
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! 
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| bodger |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 
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| Wombat |
What I meant is Winter water is much colder!
Wombat |
| TAVASCAROW |
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.
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| Lorrainelovesplants |
I file mine down with a big file. Never thought of dog nail clippers! |
| Nanny |
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 |
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. |