Can I just clip the wings and fence in my coop?

[annabeth3]

We are building our coop now but I'd like my chickens to have more room in the yard to roam around. I was hoping I could just fence in a wider area and then clip their wings so they can't get any lift to fly out. Does this work?

Thanks!

B

 

[ColoradoMike]

I think it depends on the breed and on the height of your fence...

I am trying to keep my hens inside a 4' fence...my first stab at it has been a mixed success - Our California White flew over the raised wire I installed as a deterant without even touching it. If she foils my next attempt, I'll probably try to clip her wing(s)...

Oh, and

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

If your talking about a chicken run without a "roof" Id be worried about predators. Even if you make a 12 foot fence so the hen's can't fly over it... that does not mean something else can't fly or climb in. My neighbor's chicken's were snatched right out of their pen by a hawk.

 

[elmo]

And also remember if you clip your chicken's wings you make her less able to escape predators.

 

[quenston]

IMO it doesnt really matter, I have a 6 foot fence around my pens and clipped wings and they are out almost everyday and the way they are getting out is out of the top, I am currently in the planning stage of getting all of my runs with tops do to the fear of predators. That is my .02 cents worth

 

[annabeth3]

Thanks all. I will plan to enclose it somehow. I was just hoping to give them more area to roam, but if they are going to get out thats not good.

 

[n.smithurmond]

Mine have an enclosure that is about 40'x40'. It is 4' electric poultry netting, so it's portable and they do get moved around occasionally. I found that clipping only the primaries did not prevent escapees at all, but since clipping the primaries and secondaries they stay put (although they look a little do-do-ish

.) We have a large dog, so I haven't had any four-legged predator losses. And, although it is no doubt a risk, in 10 months of having this arrangement I have not lost a single bird to winged predators.