Clipped wings and still able to fly over the fence

[LemonberryMoon]

We got four Ameraucana laying hens (about a year old) today. We already have seven 12 week old pullets, we haven't had to clip their wings as they seem content staying in the yard and have only flown to sit on the fence a couple times. I was afraid with these new ones that not being their "home" they may try to leave so thought we'd clip once and hopefully by the time they molt they'll like us enough to stay Minutes after clipping one wing one of them was up on the 5 foot chainlink fence. Why is she still able to do this?!

I want them to be able to free range, but I don't want to have to chase them all around the neighborhood!

 

[chicks are me]

well... chickens are amazing creatures and very determined. It's probably just because they are not used to your house, and this will hopefully stop when they get settled in. And did you clip the wings enough? I've never had to worry about clipping wings but I guess under-clipping them would still allow them to fly. Also, maybe you should clip both wings.

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of clip job with wings outspread.

 

[LemonberryMoon]

well... chickens are amazing creatures and very determined. It's probably just because they are not used to your house, and this will hopefully stop when they get settled in. And did you clip the wings enough? I've never had to worry about clipping wings but I guess under-clipping them would still allow them to fly. Also, maybe you should clip both wings.

I've read to only clip one to throw them off balance?

 

[LemonberryMoon]

Show a picture of clip job with wings outspread.

I will have to do that tomorrow as I've put them to bed for the night.... We clipped right up to the next set of feathers though.

 

[centrarchid]

I do both sides. Clipped properly and they will not be able to do better than 3 feet vertically even with my games that can fly very well.

 

[chicks are me]

normally you do only clip one side but it seems that your chicken likes to escape,but it doesn't hurt them if you do clip both sides