Clipped and still flying!?!?

[MamaMia72]

Hi there,

I am a first timer and new to this forum. I looked first so hopefully I am not asking a repeat, but I have a dilemma.

I was holding off from clipping since I wanted them to have the ability to fly if needed but then they started going on "adventures" which in my area is a bad idea (I have a walking trail behind my home that sees a lot of dog traffic as well as a neighbor with a dog). My girls are almost 4 months old and I have now clipped them twice (some of their flight feathers either had not grown in fully or grew back?) but this doesn't seem to stop them. I am getting to the point that I may get rid of the biggest culprit or just concede and pen them up, which I really don't want to do nor do I really have a good spot for this kind of set up.

Any ideas? Would clipping both wings help? I read that you only do the one to through them off balance, but obviously this isn't an issue. All I have to say is they better start laying soon and earning their keep!

Thanks for any ideas!

Oh, I have a Rhode Island Red, a Gold Laced Wyandotte, a Barred Rock and two Araucana's...the Araucana's are my smaller birds who seems to be the biggest culprits but I have found all of them in my tree (smallish Dogwood) and up on the fence (about 5 ft tall), or over it.

 

[WalkingWolf]

First tell us what type of birds you have. I assume the culprit is a roo, tethering the roo may help keep the rest of the flock in, you may also consider a cut back free range period in the evening. They will not venture far from their resting place then.

 

[Quack Shack]

Flight feathers will always grow back so yes, it's going to be an on-going chore but if your bird has figured out how to fly even soar at an angle then you simply have a determined wanderer. Maybe try both wings and as a last resort pinion. Here's a site that discusses both options and you may want to petition some more experienced folks as well. Hope this helps.
http://www.poultryconnection.com/quackers/clip-3.html