clipping wings

[atr04screw]

I just got 4 plymouth rocks and 1 blue cochin (I think) and I don't know anything about clipping wings. Do I need to clip them? If so, when should I do it and how do I do it? They are about 2 weeks old now and the have their wing feathers and some tail feathers. They will be in a big coop with a grassy area in the bottom of it, and I will let them out into a little fenced in area once a day. This area is on the edge of the woods, and I was worried about one of them flying into a tree and roosting there and then beginning to lay its eggs all in the woods. Thanks in advance.

 

[coreybee]

Quote:
When you spread the wing out, the first 10 feathers are the flight feathers. Those are the ones you trim. I only trim one wing vice 2.

 

[coreybee]

Here's a good link too, with pictures:

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/clip.html

good luck!

 

[coreybee]

And another thread from here with a pic.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-wingclipping.html

 

[ranchhand]

2 weeks old is a lot too early to clip wings. I really don't bother, because I keep them in a 6 foot tall covered run for the most part. When I do free range, I want them to be able to fly up and escape if attacked. As they get older and bigger, they won't be very inclined to fly anyway.

 

[atr04screw]

The fence is gonna be about 5 ft high, but open on the top, so should I even worry about clipping the wings?

 

[Nhiawa]

gotta be careful