Hi all
The hens are obviously avoiding the roosters in 2 of my breeding groups, and of course none of the eggs are fertile. The boys have certainly jumped on them earlier, as there are small areas of broken back feathers, but for the last few weeks if they try the girls scream and jump on a perch or something to get away. Someone I know suggested it could be that the roosters' spurs are hurting them - they are both 2 yrs old and have medium length, pointy spurs, which stick straight out from the legs, and I expect would hurt like hell (not long curled ones like I've seen on some older boys). I think he is probably right. Last year I had really good fertility with both roosters, but their spurs would have not been as long.
This person said that to remove the spurs I need to grind them with an angle grinder - the heat seals the end of the spur as it is being ground and stops the blood flow, and it doesn't hurt them. Has anyone done this? Or does anyone know a better way to remove the spurs?
I'd really appreciate any advice thanks
Sue