Clipping Guineas Wings

[KAZROB]

At what age would one consider clipping the wings of keets. I like to clip the wings at least once so as they are use to their surrounds, I did this with my 3 Adult ones when I got them, but now I have 7 keets about 6 weeks old, being brought up by one of my broody chickens. They follow her everywhere and go back to their hut for roosting, etc they are not with the other chickens, guineas, ducks etc. Not yet anyway...it will happen but I am leaving them away from the others until they are somewhat bigger..

Perhaps I don't need to clip their wings as they will know their surrounds as time goes on but was wondering when I would consider if I decided to do it once?

Thanks

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello:

First off, what part of Australia are you located, just wondering ?

If you notice, Your keets more than likely are growing wing feathers
at odd times and parts of the wing.
They SHOULD have a rather long feather on the outer tip of the
wing by now, with struby ones inside of these..

DO NOT cut the outer wing feathers.
They use these to position their wings when they fold them in.
I imagine this is why these feathers come in first.
This is true of all birds and many make the mistake
of cutting these feathers.
these outer wing feathers will not give the bird enougn lift to fly
Keets generally jump with perhaps a bit of help from their wings.
It is really nice that they have a surrogate mother chicken.
I am sure she will take care of them in good order.

Keets are generally good to go at about age 8 weeks.
When you see them start to wonder off from mom
I think this would be a good time to clip.
I do not clip my guineas. They are excellent flyer yes,
but they also use this to get away from predators.

Hope this helps
Guinea G.

 

[KAZROB]

Thanks so much,

Firstly I am in country Victoria-Latrobe Valley (Gippsland). I live on only 5 acres, which is plenty for me, mind you at times I wish I had many more acres, but I am grateful for what I have....

I don't clip my older Guinea's wings only did this once to help them establish their new grounds. I am hoping not to clip the keets, but I was worried that they may fly off as I am moving them soon into a bigger paddock that is closed off and they will have a new hut with their foster mum....So I am worried that one may fly off....Thanks so much for the feather advice, I would not have known this, as I said maybe I wont have to clip their wings maybe they will stay put and be happy..My two older ones don't leave the enclosed paddock, they are happy just wandering around with the chickens, ducks etc and occasionally one flys up into a tree which over hangs the chicken hut. (my male) he has been going up their most nights over the past week or two before this he went up on rare occasions! I am not sure why as his companion goes into the hut with the ducks and their enclosure is big and roomy and they are locked up and then let out in the morning. He was going in the enclosure, but has now decided to sit up in the tree??

Anyway once again thanks for your reply it was and is much appreciated......if you ever want to come down under then your welcome to come to the valley, I have a unit on the property as well and it is comfy, clean and self contained!