Clip Wings?

[randakay99]

I have 5 Ameracaunas that are about 5 weeks old. They are getting huge and all have their wing feathers. I want to let them out for a little bit in my fenced in backyard (that is about 4 feet high) while supervised by me. I am afraid they will fly over the fence. I clipped my Parakeet's wings throughout it's lifetime and have read and watched videos on how to clip chicken wings. I see various posts about only clipping one wing instead of both wings.... Not sure which to do... Also, is it too early to clip their wings or wing??? I added a poll at the bottom about clipping one wing or both wings.

 

[MiksMom]

I don't know when to start clipping, but my 4-6 chicks can each fly at least ten feet horizontally. not sure if they could get the height, but certainly wouldn't take long one they figure It out...

 

[aaronri]

I would let them feather out more before you have to worry about it. I have a new flock that are about 16 weeks and I just gave em the trim last week. Out of 18, 2 of them made it over and were kind of freaked out when they figured it out. They couldn't wait to get back in the pen. (Also a 4' wire fence) "Oh no, what have I done?"

 

[randakay99]

I would let them feather out more before you have to worry about it. I have a new flock that are about 16 weeks and I just gave em the trim last week. Out of 18, 2 of them made it over and were kind of freaked out when they figured it out. They couldn't wait to get back in the pen. (Also a 4' wire fence) "Oh no, what have I done?"

LOL... so it's not like the kind of bird that will fly away and I won't be able to catch it?? That's what I was worried about the most. It sounds like they are slow movers.

 

[aaronri]

LOL... so it's not like the kind of bird that will fly away and I won't be able to catch it?? That's what I was worried about the most. It sounds like they are slow movers.

Not that they they are slow per se; I certainly cant catch one easily in open areas... It's more that they are a flock animal, and when one flies over the fence, (which I doubt yours are capable of at their young age) it is now separated from the others. I just open the gate, move out of it's way, and if necessary, "herd" it back in. They are not obsessed with running away, that's why you can let the whole flock free-range if you want to and they will still come home to roost.

I had a standing order that once one of them successfully made it over, the whole flock got their right wing clipped. The reason you clip one vs both wings, is so that they are no longer balanced in flight. With both wings clipped, they can flap like crazy and go in a straight line. But with one full wing and one clipped wing, they veer to one side when they try to fly.

 

[randakay99]

I got brave and let them in the backyard while I cleaned their cage really good. They did exactly like you said... They stuck together and didn't even try to fly. They were so preoccupied with their new surroundings and picking at the Bermuda grass. Very cute! So happy that they did so well! Thank you for your help!

 

[SobbaChickens]

Good post, I've been wondering this myself. Glad your chicks did well during their adventure!

 

[DLV58]

I was wondering about this too, so I have
watched you tube videos on wing clipping.