flight feathers -- when to trim??

[The Kid Farmer]

2nd post on BYC!!!!! We have seven 4 1/2 week old chicks and we are wondering when to trim their flight feathers. We are going to let them free range once they move into the coop outside, wondering if that effects when to trim them. Also, from my understanding you are supposed to move them whenever the last chick gets all their feather, is this correct? Thanks

 

[cavemanrich]

You are in a warm climate,,, so at 5 to 6 weeks age, they can be moved into outdoor coop.
Flight feathers are only trimmed when chickens are full grown,,, and they are escaping over the fence. I did trim some of my new addition grown hens,,,,,,,, because I did not want them escaping over my 6 foot fence. Once they were settled in, and their feathers grew back,, I never trimmed them second time. There is a good reason for chickens to be able to fly... To escape predators,,, and to reach their roosts without struggling.
I know what you are seeing currently. Your baby chicks are flying out of their brooder. When they will be in a larger run area,, they will not be taking flights. Make their run interesting with odd objects inside,,,,, so they can hide,,, as well as explore. Temporary boxes, chairs, crates are just some things to consider.
Ask anything else you are not sure of,,, The whole BYC community is here to give answers.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[The Kid Farmer]

Sorry, I don't think I gave enough info! They are going to be free-ranging in our backyard, not in the run, and we have a pretty short (probably around 5 feet) fence over to our neighbors yard who have a dog. We shouldn't immediately let the chickens free range, right? Until we can trim their flight feathers?

Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

I understand your point,,, Run,, or total backyard is same,,, with just a size difference. If you see your chickens flying up 5 feet,,, then trim the feathers. Generally, not all chickens can fly up that high. Talking about large fowl hens,, and when they put on some weight. Bantams, and White leghorns are capable of though.
If you want to clip,, here is how to do it.

What breeds are your chickens??

 

[The Kid Farmer]

We have:
- 2 White Cochins
- 2 Easter Eggers
- 1 Golden Laced Wyandotte
- 1 Plymouth Rock Barred
- 1 Egyptian Fayoumi

We have definitely witnessed our chickens flying 5 feet, but they are only 5.5 weeks old. We shouldn't trim them yet right, or can we?

Thank you for all the help!!

 

[cavemanrich]

If your chickens are making a 5 foot vertical flight from the ground now,,, then trim the feathers. You don't want them to fly over the fence.
The feathers will grow back in time.

 

[sandburRanch]

Don't be surprised if one escapes with flight feathers trimmed because occasionally one will climb the fence using the trimmed wings assist method . Smart ole gal she was .

I may be the only person that trims only 1 wing but it usually works as well because it causes an imbalance in flight .

 

[3KillerBs]

DO NOT trim growing feathers! Only the fully-matured feathers where the blood has receeded out of the shaft can be safely cut.

Blood feathers will bleed when cut and the bleeding can only be stopped by pulling out the cut/broken feather.

Right now it's potentially dangerous to allow chickens out from under cover where they may come in contact with wild birds or their droppings because of Avian Flu. This thread is terribly long, but has a great deal of information that will help you judge how best to keep your birds safe: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/avian-influenza-found-in-south-carolina.1507893/

 

[The Kid Farmer]

Okay, so I should trim the flight feathers whenever their is no blood in them anymore?

 

[3KillerBs]

Okay, so I should trim the flight feathers whenever their is no blood in them anymore?

Yes, when the feather is fully-grown out and no blood is visible in the shaft.

There is, however, no guarantee that trimming a wing -- or even both wings -- will keep a light, agile bird grounded. I had one of my cockerels from this winter's batch that couldn't be kept grounded even with both wings trimmed into the secondaries.

Good luck.