How Do You De-spur A Rooster?

[OkieChickenGal]

I was wondering, I've heard that some people de-spur their roosters. How do you this? I saw somebody said that they take the pliers and they twist it off? Do any of you de-spur your roosters? I'm curious how you all do it. Is it really necessary?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Following this.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is it really necessary?

What a great question. Occasionally yes it is necessary. Some hens even need to be de-spurred. When the spurs are harming the quality of life of the chickens you need to do something. Occasionally the spurs curve around and grow into the chicken's leg, causing a raw spot. Or the spurs grow in a way to interfere with the chicken walking. It's generally a pretty old rooster but occasionally an old hen will run into these problems. It is seldom a younger hen or rooster will develop spurs this long, it usually takes a few years.

Spurs are a weapon a mature rooster can use. Even younger cockerels whose spurs have not grown enough to be dangerous have more weapons though, sharp claws and a powerful beak that can cut flesh. Some people seem to think that you can handle a rooster that is attacking you or others by trimming his spurs. The solution to a human aggressive rooster is not to trim spurs or even claws but to make soup out of him.

Sometimes hens can become barebacked. hat's when the feathers where a rooster stands when mounting a hen break off or come out, leaving a bare spot. The concern (and it is legitimate) is that the rooster can cut the hen with his sours or claws when mating if her skin is bare. There are different reasons a hen may become barebacked. Some hens have brittle feathers, so brittle that no matter how gentle the rooster is the feathers just break. I don't blame that on the rooster but she is still in danger of being cut.

Sometimes a rooster has bad technique and does cause the hen's feathers to break or fall out. It's usually a cockerel as most roosters develop better technique as they mature but you can have some older roosters that just don't develop the way they should. If you run into this problem, take a look at the rooster's or cockerel's leg. How many spurs do you see and how long and sharp are they? Now look at their claws. Count them and see how sharp they are.

Often when cockerels are causing pullets or hens to be bare-backed they don't have much more than a spur nub. Nor impressive at all. But an older cockerel or rooster can have a pretty impressive spur. When a rooster is covering a hen what does he use to hang on, his spurs or his claws? What do you think might be causing the most damage? If you run into the barebacked problem don't just think about spurs. Also think about what is probably doing the most damage.

I've trimmed a rooster's spurs and claws three times in my life. With most roosters and cockerels it's just not necessary. When I do I take a Dremel tool and use one of those discs you use to cut metal to cut the tip off of the spur (if a rooster) and the tip off of the claws. If you don't cut very deep it's like trimming your toenails. He won't bleed or even flinch, it just doesn't hurt. If you do get deep enough to cut the quick it will bleed a bit but usually not much at all. And he still usually does not flinch. Some people use those clippers you use to trim a dog's nails. Some people put a hot potato over the spurs to cook them a bit to make it easy to twist the spur covering off or just use pliers to twist the spurs off without cooking them. I don't think that hurts the rooster much if at all but I think it misses the major problem, the claws, when dealing with barebacked hens.

This is all my opinion though I've tried to give the reasons I think this way. There are plenty of people on here that don't share my opinion, you'll find we often have different opinions on most topics. In my opinion there are times you should trim a rooster's spurs and claws too, but as a standard practice I do not consider it necessary.

 

[OkieChickenGal]

Thanks! My rooster isn't aggressive (Yet) He's 5 1/2 months old and his spurs are starting to grow. What age do they usually start becoming aggressive? If you pick up his hens he'll stand up tall and start flapping his wings. But he doesn't attack or anything.
Can roosters still cut you up or make you bleed even if they're de-spurred?

 

[sawilliams]

Just a piont she you remove or trim a spur you are only removing the outer hardened nail not the shaft (or quick) of the spur it will grow back. If you want the rooster fully de-spured, as in to not grow spurs (and i don't know if its possibly) you would likely need to take him to a vet for surgery to remove the quick completely.

As for if or when a roo will become aggressive? Most if they will would do so around maturity at 4-6 months when they start mating or in that first year. Some maybe fine for years and then snap and some will just not become aggressive to humans. If they do have a plan. Some people try to reestablished flock control by means of handling the rooster others will simply cull the rooster, there is also the option to simple defend and protect yourself but doesn't nessecarily stop them. In my case I have young kids and my chickens free range most of the day, so if for any reason my rooster attacks my childern, or any person on my property that is allowed to be there he will be culled for safety reasons.

 

[aart]

If you pick up his hens he'll stand up tall and start flapping his wings. But he doesn't attack or anything.
Can roosters still cut you up or make you bleed even if they're de-spurred?

This is a good sign, IMO.
Part of how I 'train' my male birds to know I can touch them and the pullets/hens and 'no one will die' and you will not object with aggression.
Continue with this on occasion, talking softly and being calm and confident.
Aggression can manifest at any age.

Any bird can break your skin with it's beak or toenails.
Have had several nasty toenail scratches when handling a bird, it's rarely intentional. Have been bitten unto bruise and/or bleeding a couple times too, that was intentional.
Have never had a spur wound me, but I handle my males infrequently(just off the roost at night for bug exams every couple months) and am very careful of the spurs when I do.
Have never removed a spur, but that nipped off and filed the very tip to reduce the sharpness.

 

[Spartan22]

I got a 13 month old beautiful Black Copper Marans rooster that can be aggressive if I pick up one of his hens or check the nests for eggs if he is close by. In my opinion this is just protecting his home and his territory for survival. That is being who he is, a protector of his flock and he is following his avian instinct, if I don’t bother him he doesn’t bother us. Now I did trim his spur with dog nail clipper and pile polished them since I was caught by surprise few times sticking my hand to grab eggs in nesting boxes. My initial reaction was to get mad at him but he was only being who he is a rooster not a a cuddly puppy.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I was wondering, I've heard that some people de-spur their roosters. How do you this? I saw somebody said that they take the pliers and they twist it off? Do any of you de-spur your roosters? I'm curious how you all do it. Is it really necessary?

Yes very simple to do.
See this

If you have children entering the coop it is recommended in my opinion.

 

[Trish1974]

When I do I take a Dremel tool and use one of those discs you use to cut metal to cut the tip off of the spur (if a rooster) and the tip off of the claws. If you don't cut very deep it's like trimming your toenails. He won't bleed or even flinch, it just doesn't hurt. If you do get deep enough to cut the quick it will bleed a bit but usually not much at all.

I know its hard to describe, but how much do you take off? By 'just the tip', would that be just the very end (pointy part)? Is the quick visible? My rooster is just now starting to develop spurs, and I can see a distinct difference in what is growing because it is almost white, and the nubs he's always had are yellow. Would the quick be where the spur is just now starting to grow out of the nub?

 

[aart]

I got a 13 month old beautiful Black Copper Marans rooster that can be aggressive if I pick up one of his hens or check the nests for eggs if he is close by. In my opinion this is just protecting his home and his territory for survival.

Nope, he should know that you, as the keeper, are not a threat.