Can I get their wings clipped?

[depeelm]

I have 3 new little girls (I guess not so little anymore) that are about 12 weeks or so now...I got them from tractor supply and their wings are not clipped...they have a coop and a run but I would love to be able to let them roam our large back area however we do have a fence and a few neighbors and I don't want them flying over...is it too late to get their wings clipped so they can't? If so how do I go about doing that?

 

[cavemanrich]

It is never too late. and the wing feathers WILL GROW BACK. you may have to do it every so often. But first make sure that clipping the wings is necessary. You may not need to. Not all chickens want to fly over the fence. The other disadvantage of clipped wings is ,, they will not be able to escape as well without full function of wings. Think of it as an advantage to predators. If you are determined to clip them anyways, you only cut the flight feathers. You don't cut them too short also, Just the ends. and only about 4 or 5 of them. If you really need to do it I can show you on a picture just how much. I would have to take one of my girls and point out with a piece of tape. Just ask.
AND SINCE YOU ARE STILL KIND OF NEW.

 

[rainbowhatchery]

Its never to late because you have to do it over and over again. The flight wings grow back so you have to clip them at least every year, sometimes twice a year.

 

[comptonkids]

From what I've read it's better to do it when they are a bit older and only clip one side
the idea is to put them slightly off balance so they can't really fly
they can and will adapt. But the older they are, the harder it will be to adapt

Just make sure you can protect them from predators

 

[cavemanrich]

From what I've read it's better to do it when they are a bit older and only clip one side
the idea is to put them slightly off balance so they can't really fly
they can and will adapt. But the older they are, the harder it will be to adapt

Just make sure you can protect them from predators

I have read about clipping just one side. It defiantly will stop good flight because they will be off balance in air. Here is my view and opinion. Clipping both will still allow chicken to fly some, like up into the roost area. They wont try, and not make a good landing. ( I think one bad wing might possibly set them off balance.) They will not be able to make bigger flights like over the fence. After a few efforts and failures, they will give up trying to go over fence. Then the educated chicken will not need any more clipping. I am saying this from personal experience. When I get adult chickens to add to my flock, and they are capable of good flight, I have clipped their wings. Did not want them escaping . I never clipped young chickens and also never clipped older ones a second time. So clipping both equally and moderately will keep the altitude low.