The Poultry Keeper

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Use a dremel tool to de-spur no bleeding and no pain,just cut off the spur about 3/4 of an inch away from the leg it only needs to be done once every year or two.The way you do it ,I wouldn`t recommend it.As far as dubbing it is done for several reason,besides cock fighting and shows.It is actually healthier for them and also helps prevent frost bite.If the comb is injured and torn, you just as well dub instead of just cutting off the injured part.I know dubbing isn`t for everyone, but sometimes it is a necessary evil.

poultry poofs · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:06 pm Post subject:

Why whats wrong with the way i remove the spur ? I would hate to think i was not doing something right, its the way my vet suggested. Confused

I would have thought that pinning a bird down and subjecting it to the squealing vibration and burning smell would be far more unpleasent and take longer too.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Nothing ,if that`s what your vet said,only why cause bleeding and pain for the rooster? To each his own,if you want to do it that way,its your choice,I prefer not to stress mine. Also my way has less chance of hurting their legs.

NannyP · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:58 pm Post subject:

Surely if the chickens have combs, they are meant to have combs, and if the cockerels have spurs they are meant to have spurs Confused

Why do people remove bits?
Not letting anyone near me incase I have the odd bit that they think needs chopping off Shocked

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Briefly ,the removing of the combs is required for certain chickens for show purposes.It is good animal husbandry as that it is healthier for them,especially in cold areas where they may get frost bite.As far as the spurs go , the removal of them is to protect the hens during mating and also if they grow too long,then eventually the spurs will interfere with their walking.If you ever have a rooster that doesn`t like being handled--trimming the spurs helps protect you--trust me on that one.Trimming of the spurs is not painful to the rooster if done properly.Trimming the spurs is basically like cutting your finger nails.

NannyP · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:14 pm Post subject:

That's like saying circumsision is healthier. How can removing something that is "natural" and "normally present" be healthier Shocked

Protect the hens, by all means, by using a saddle, and people can protecrt themselves by wearing protective clothing, but please, don't remove natural pieces of birds.
Sad

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

You obviously overlooked the part about the spurs causing walking problems and you seem to have your mind set--so no matter what information I give you,you won`t accept it. After 30 years with chickens,I have a little knowledge and it can be taken or ignored.Saddles/Aprons are not natural and as far as wearing protective clothing,that is not all ways an option.Hope you find someone else to to try and debate this with.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

my cockerals seem to walk alright ,and my goats have horns ,
i do like my animals to be as nature intended ,
they were given thing for a reason
suz

Loudmouth Schnook · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:33 am Post subject:

Perhaps over-breeding is a problem where cockerels have difficulty walking because of spurs. That is not natural. If that's the case, then those animals shouldn't be allowed to breed as it causes the animal suffering in one way or another. I've seen this sort of thing far too much with other animals - breeding for a particular look or characteristic, but ignoring the healthy aspects of the animal - particularly with dogs (hip dysplasia in German shepherds to get the sloped back comes immediately to mind as an example). Responsible breeding is for the animal's welfare, not our vanities.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

The over breeding you refer to--I take it that you mean inbreeding.When done correctly you can inbreed then line breed without any problems,so I can`t say this is a cause of that.When chickens run around on different surfaces and fight for survival or territory or for mating purposes,they tend to keep their spurs worn down to at point where it won`t interfere with their walking in most cases,but once the spurs reach a point where it could be a problem,they need to be trimmed.Trimming the spurs as I said is not harmful in any way to the rooster,if done correctly.