Am I being a wimp?

Chicky1981

Chirping
9 Years
Nov 10, 2011
30
2
89
Peterborough UK
I hatched off some Cream Legbar eggs in June this year. They were hatched and brought up by a broody hen within my little flock. They have now grown into beautiful birds (I have 2). I let them out the other day to free range in my garden and one managed to fly over a 6 foot wall (They have always been a bit flappy but not got that high before). My question is what is the best way to catch them and is it easy to clip their wings? My other 3 hens are ok and have never managed to get over the wall. I just want to keep my flock safe. At the moment they are staying in their coop and run. I would love to get them out in the garden again but I am worried about catching them. They are not the friendliest of birds. One has taken a big dislike to a pair of shoes that I wear in the garden and she pecks them every time. Strange girl but it adds to her character. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi.
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Unless you have a big net catching thing, to me the easiest way is once they've gone to roost. They will come back and go in as usual.

Yes you can clip the wings, it may work. Sometimes it doesn't and there is lots of conflicting info on how to be successful. I think you clip one side this year and the opposite side the next year so they don't learn how to adjust for the difference. They will follow the leader if they can, so she will teach them the bad habit. There are good videos showing how if you just search. Seems simple enough.

Some of my girls can easily make it over 10 feet high.
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The heavier breeds not so much which is one reason they are good starter birds. The cream legbars are known to be flighty.

Welcome to BYC! Hope you are enjoying it here.
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A fish nest, like the ones to scoop fish into the boat works well, but you still have to be quick. A long stick to tap the ground to herd them works the best for me.

Mrs K
 
Thank you very much for your replies. Do you think I should clip the whole flocks wings (total of 5 birds including the legbars) or just the 2 flighty ones?
 
I would start with the flighty ones and only do the others if it still seemed needed. 5 might not be a big deal, I have almost 50. But less work is exactly that, more time to enjoy life!

I also use an extension on my arm, whatever I can find, and tap the ground for herding. And I plan to buy the big net but haven't yet. Even a shepherds' hook could work well.
 

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