Clipping one wing or both?

[happybooker1]

I just clipped my 2 new Lavender Ameraucana hens' wings -- one on each -- and they are still able to get up on the highest roost and even on the TOP bar under the roof of my coop!

FYI, these are the Bantam chickens I've had and they would fly or not: Sultan, Silkies, Cochins and Brahmas -- never flew. Seramas -- flew up to 7' and roosted on the ROOF of the coop. EE-- routinely flew over a 3' and 4' fence (and back again). Ameraucana -- one flew over a 5.5' fence into the dog yard, hence the wing-clipping. In general, the heavier-bodied chickens can't/won't fly. The thinner bodied chickens MIGHT or WILL fly.

 

[ali d 1985]

Advice plz - I have six Hybrids and they roam free everyday, they have mastered jumping/flapping up onto my 6ft fence even though i was assured they wouldnt b able to do this height. I was thinking of clipping their wings but before i do, can anyone tell me if this will completely prevent the jumping? I dnt see much point in doin it if not, thanks. X

I was raised on farms with many chickens and we always clipped one wing and I do that now with my own brood. Never had any issues with them getting hurt, including the mischievous EEs.

We only clip a wing when we notice them jumping/flying where they are not supposed to; being surrounded by dog owners, we worry about our pets being others' snacks.
I noticed 4 of them on the other side of a 5 foot fence last week and we clipped one wing on all of them; they haven't gone across since, we only do it a couple times a year.