Clipping wings isn't working!

[sbreagy97]

@nurse_turtle
I think I know how to clip them, but any advice you give would be greatly appreciated!

 

[OldGuy43]

To late now, but for future reference just clip one wing.

 

[petejd]

Quote:
X2. Can't fly if they can't direct their flight..

 

[cottagechick]

Another thing to keep in mind...they can jump. So they can jump up on a crate and then jump on a fence and then jump over...same effect as flying... ;-(

 

[nurse_turtle]

Quote:
It's not rocket science so it sounds like you got it under control, especially since it seems mostly effective. Be careful of blood feathers. If you happen to clip one, pluck it to stop bleeding. it will be interesting to see how the one wing clipping works out for you.

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

Quote:
Great info... thanks for all of us.

 

[robomb]

I have an L-shaped 20 x 9 ft run, and I kept it covered with bird netting (Lowe's $15 for 100 ft), but the first snow was so heavy, it pulled it all down. Since then my SLW has somehow been found on the OUTSIDE of the run (I have 3 SLW, 2 PBR and 2 BOs). I don't know if the same Wyandotte flew over twice, or if it was 2 of them on different days. Today I got my first eggs - 2 of them! I saw (and heard) one Wyandotte laying her first egg, and I think the other came from a Wyandotte too, but I didn't see it. Could they have been looking for another place to lay? Neither one of them used the nesting boxes - just nestled into the straw on the floor of the coop, under the hanging feeder.

My chicken wire is 5' tall - I wasn't expecting to find anyone on the outside. Not sure I want to put more netting up, because we've only had one significant snowfall so far, and there are still 3-4 months to go. Someone suggested clipping their wings - I'm undecided.

We're going to be hit with a bitter cold front in 2 days (-5 to -15), so I just put a light in the coop, but won't turn it on until the cold hits. So far they have done okay with a 5 degree night and no light/heat. I broke down and bought a heated waterer, and that was the BEST INVESTMENT EVER!

 

[maggiec1951]

We have strung heavy weight fishing line in a pattern small enough to keep even the bantam in but big enough that leaves, etc. fall on through. Sorry, I live in Florida, can't relate to problems with the snow.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
I had the same problem with the bird netting.. it was just not strong enough but the fish netting I bought is great.. it stands up to the UV and the snow

 

[Jenski]

Ahhh, what breed/s are you keeping, sbreagy97? Are you attached to the breeds you have?

Why don't you keep a heavy, lazy breed that won't want to jump the fence, LOL? Among the breeds I have kept, the Ameraucanas were most likely to fly off. . . I imagine Leghorns and Andalusians would as well.

First-year birds are also more likely to fly/jump. Once they get into their second year and into adulthood, they are calmer and heavier. (Just like us, heh heh!)

I have found Orpingtons and Marans to be pretty content in confinement. Barred Rocks are pretty good after first year.

You also might want to ensure there are more interesting and delicious things inside the pen area than outside it.

Hope that info helps... good luck!