Can I clip my chicks wings?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I have 6 chicks that are 4 weeks old and I want to clip their wings to prevent them from, in a phrase "flying the coop". Are they too young to have their wings clipped? they are fully feathered except for their head and some neck.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If the feathers are still growing you should be able to see blood in the shaft so do not clip those. But if you don't see blood, no problem.

They will go through two more juvenile molts before they reach adult size so you will need to reclip them.

What does the brooder or run that they are flying out of look like? Some photos might be helpful. You may be able to modify that area to stop them from flying out but I'd have to know what you are working with to make specific suggestions.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

If the feathers are still growing you should be able to see blood in the shaft so do not clip those. But if you don't see blood, no problem.

They will go through two more juvenile molts before they reach adult size so you will need to reclip them.

What does the brooder or run that they are flying out of look like? Some photos might be helpful. You may be able to modify that area to stop them from flying out but I'd have to know what you are working with to make specific suggestions.

I have just put them outside and they haven't flown out yet, I just suspect they would be able to.. I will send photos!

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

If the feathers are still growing you should be able to see blood in the shaft so do not clip those. But if you don't see blood, no problem.

They will go through two more juvenile molts before they reach adult size so you will need to reclip them.

What does the brooder or run that they are flying out of look like? Some photos might be helpful. You may be able to modify that area to stop them from flying out but I'd have to know what you are working with to make specific suggestions.

Here are pictures of their chick coop and run. (the coop is what they used while they were inside except it has a tarp over it)
Note: I have seen them jump on top of the coop without the tarp on it, but they are yet to jump onto it now that it has the tarp.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd wait until they started getting out before I clipped. With that fencing they cannot land on top of the fence and then fly down. That's how most get out. They can physically fly over the fence if they want to but most don't want to.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I'd wait until they started getting out before I clipped. With that fencing they cannot land on top of the fence and then fly down. That's how most get out. They can physically fly over the fence if they want to but most don't want to.

Good to know, I will wait and see what happens!