Clipped Wing ?

[Larry33843]

Years ago I used to help my Grandmother clip the flight feathers on one wing on each of her chickens and guineas to keep them from flying out of the pen.
Is this still done ? Or is there another method to confine these birds without fencing in the top of pen ?
I want to turn guineas loose over an acre that I garden and grow citrus and other fruit trees on and don't want them flying out (garden is inside City Limits). Thanks for your input in advance, Larry

 

[Imp]

Larry,

Clipping one or both wings is still a commonly recommended method for limiting flight. It is not foolproof.

Imp

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

It's still used by many of us. Only clip 1 wing to keep them off balance.

 

[Larry33843]

Thanks for replies. Not sure in this day and age if maybe there was a better way. I see that some commercial hatcheries offer "surgically removing" wingtip at the pinion ? joint. Wonder how the birds recover from that procedure, if any die from it, and does it disfigure appearance.
I really want to hatch my own, so the surgery is ruled out.
Thanks, Larry

 

[rhoda_bruce]

If your garden wasn't so big you could canopy it. That is what I would like to do with 2X4 wire. Not only in consideration for the guineas and chickens confinement, but also safety from preditors and as an arbor to grow vegetables.

 

[Larry33843]

I wish I could cover it, if just the veg. garden, but it's over 6,000 sq. ft. There's a family or community of Red Tailed Hawks in the large oaks next to my acre. I'm going with darker color guineas and not release them until they're pretty good size. I think they'll stand a much better chance than chickens of evading the hawks, even if I clip one wing to keep them from flying over six foot chain link fence.
Plan on building/buying a "chicken tractor" for hens after guineas hatch. The hens will be my second hatch project with new incubator.

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

I have never clipped guineas wings because then the cant escape predators or fly to trees. Also in all my chickens and turkeys i have to clip both wings, because even if you clip one they can still fly well