Problem with my bantam cockerell's spur....

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Problem with my bantam cockerell's spur....
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pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 12:58 pm Post subject: Problem with my bantam cockerell's spur....

Has anyone any advice for me here please? My Pekin Bantam has huge spurs but one has grown instead of at 45 deg.angle, vertically upwards and has a bit of a curve in it inwards too. Now I periodically trim his claw nails with little trouble and he is very tame and quite happy about that but the spurs are so thick and I don't feel very confident about this. Can you trim spurs and if so how far can you go? It's easy to see the construction of the claw nails but not so easy with the spurs. Would appreciate any advice.

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 2:48 pm Post subject:
I use a hacksaw. Leave a short bit, 1cm or so.

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 4:38 pm Post subject:
Thank you - yes that would be a better tool to use, I can see that. Shall try it.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 5:16 pm Post subject:
I've used a hacksaw but a Dremmel is even easier.

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 5:37 pm Post subject:

Did the noise not worry the cockerell? I have a Wahl pet nail grinder which is quite efficient which would equate I guess to a dremmel. (OK well actually I bought it for husband's toenails but he is a Pointer so qualifies in a way). Perhaps I might try a combination of sawing off and then grinding smooth.
Is there no worry about nerve/blood vessels going down into the spur or aren't there any in a spur - I wasn't sure.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 5:47 pm Post subject:
I don't know about that, but they want to be cut off rather than ground off. If the cockerel has light coloured spurs, then you should be able to see the quick. You need to avoid cutting that. I'm afraid that if the spurs are dark coloured, then its a bit of a guessing game. Be conservative in how much you shorten them.

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 7:53 pm Post subject:
Thanks everyone - yes, I'll do a little at a time and go carefully. He's too precious a bundle to risk. Thank you again.

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 8:42 pm Post subject:
Would sheep foot trimmers work?

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 14 9:03 pm Post subject:
Ooh... haven't got any of those but if I don't get on with the hacksaw and dremmel solution I'll ask a friendly sheep owner. We have several round this way. Thank you!

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 6:44 am Post subject:
Rub a little soap on your hacksaw before you start, you'll find the sawing easier.

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 8:29 am Post subject:
Hadn't thought of that... good advice thank you - will do so!

Bungo

Joined: 21 Dec 2011
Posts: 354
Location: Wye Valley

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 9:37 am Post subject:

Shan wrote:

Would sheep foot trimmers work?

That 's what we use.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 11:40 am Post subject:
We use an angle grinder one person holding firmly (me) and John on the grinder. They dont mind any more than handling for any other reason. We finish off with a rasp.

pointerbetty

Joined: 11 Oct 2013
Posts: 15

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 1:16 pm Post subject:
I haven't got one of those so am just about to go out and try the hacksaw then grind off solution. I'll let you all know how I get on. If the hacksaw/grind doesn't work out well I'll go looking for an angle grinder to borrow - thanks for the suggestion.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 14 4:07 pm Post subject:
You wont need both.

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