Advice on clipping wings

[autumn_g]

Ok, so my ducks have never had their wings clipped. We were going to leave them alone but each time we had let them out of their pen you could just tell they get scared and when we turned our back some of them fly out of the yard, they never had that kind of freedom One flew up and tried coming back to the yard and flew right into our fence. . We want them to be able to forage around the yard but are afraid they might fly out of the yard and get injured.
Now I am worried that clipping their wings for the first time could break our trust, but I I want them to have freedom and be able to forage.
Should I? What is the best way to clip their wings?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I clip my female Muscovy's wing each year after molt in the fall to keep them safe and inside the fencing. Here is the diagram I use.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Ok, so my ducks have never had their wings clipped. We were going to leave them alone but each time we had let them out of their pen you could just tell they get scared and when we turned our back some of them fly out of the yard, they never had that kind of freedom One flew up and tried coming back to the yard and flew right into our fence. . We want them to be able to forage around the yard but are afraid they might fly out of the yard and get injured.
Now I am worried that clipping their wings for the first time could break our trust, but I I want them to have freedom and be able to forage.
Should I? What is the best way to clip their wings?

Like @Miss Lydia posted, I also regularly clipped my Muscovy ducks' wings after molt to keep them from flying into unsafe areas. Doing it (properly) won't hurt them and they'll get over the indignity (bribes work well!). If it's for their safety, I would do it every time.

 

[Kkrista123]

Hello! I like this video on youtube for wing clipping!

 

[bluemerle]

A question: for those who do it after molt each year, how do you tell when it's the 'right' time? (I know in new feathers there's blood in the quill, how long does it take for them to be bloodless?). And do your birds ever try to fly before you're able to clip them?

@Miss Lydia @FoodFreedomNow

 

[casportpony]

A question: for those who do it after molt each year, how do you tell when it's the 'right' time? (I know in new feathers there's blood in the quill, how long does it take for them to be bloodless?). And do your birds ever try to fly before you're able to clip them?

@Miss Lydia @FoodFreedomNow

did you watch the video? I think it might show an example of when not to clip.

 

[bluemerle]

did you watch the video? I think it might show an example of when not to clip.

Indeed! I also watched this video that tells you how to look at the feathers to determine if there's blood in them. I guess I'm just asking - is there worry about them flying off before they're ready to be clipped each year?