Spur trimming - cockerels

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Just wondered if anyone can advise on how to trim my cockerels spurs.
Two of the boys are a year old and not too bad yet, but my other cockerel is 2 and needs attention.
Are the spurs like toe nails with a 'quick'?
I have a very strong pair of guillotine style dog nail trimmers which I think would work.
I noticed one of Cream Crested Legbar hens has a large spur on one leg recently :shock: I've never had a hen with spurs before. Any comments?!

Many Thanks

 

[Davidd]

Hello, look here for spur trimming-
http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/health/trimming-cockerels-spurs.html
You can also search the posts on here for spur trimming
just make sure you dont go down to the blood vessel- have a bar of soft soap or something to stop the bleeding if you do get carried away. As for spurs on hens- that's not a problem- it's not uncommon and doesn't bother the hen in any way.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks David.
Just out of curiosity - we used to use a silver nitrate pencil on dogs and cats nails to stem the bleeding if we went a bit overboard with trimming. Do you know if this would be suitable for poultry too?

 

[Davidd]

Hi, yes, it should be fine too
regards, David