Help Please?? EXPERTS NEEDED!!!

[SandraChick]

...and you are supposed to do only one side.

Some people swear by this however I would never recommend it. Clipping one side of the bird throws off their balance and coordination. If they do get some lift, they could crash, fall, or be unable to stop or land correctly and could seriously hurt themselves or even die. Clipping one wing unsteadies them and could be dangerous if they are trying to escape a predator.

I will tell you why so many swear by clipping only one wing. It's because they will learn to fly pretty good if you clip both wings. The Unsteadyness of clipping one wing only is the very reason it is done.

For great instructions and pictures go to the BYC learning pages... here's the link for wing clipping
https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-wingclipping.htmlI would much prefer that you modify the gate....both because you don't want the chickens in the road, but also because you don't want dogs getting in.

Sandra​

 

[Smoky73]

Didnt see it mentioned here, ( I might have missed it) but, if money is an issue with doing the coop items, you can make perfectly acceptable nesting boxes out of cardboard boxes. When they start getting wore out, just get another! Just cut a hole in the side big enough for your hens to fit into.

 

[teriid856]

Hi, I'm new to having chickens too. I was also at the feed store getting goat chow, when I saw the cutest little feather balls ever. My hubby was on the road truckin so, being alittle lonely (and alot crazy) I came home w/3 little 2 week old ladies in a box LOL.That was June 7th. now 4 weeks later I'm crazy in love with them. And they love me too!

This past weekend we built our aviary and fixed up a no- longer- being- used bunny hutch, and moved the girls outside. I choose to pen them in an aviary because I have 21 outside, rescued cats at my house. My pen is 12' x 12' x 6' high, covered w/ chicken wire,all around and top too. We dug around perimeter and buried chick wire 12" deep.

Inside the coop (hutch) I put shavings 3" deep, I put a 2" wide roost across the interior, its about a foot off the floor. We cut the back of the hutch and put hinges on, re attached it so I have an easy access to eggs. I am using plastic dishpans as nest boxes.(got that idea from backyard chickens.com) We used a long board, 8" wide, covered w/lattice as the ramp.

I know I have to wait until Oct. sometime before they start laying, but I don't care, I'll just love them all the more. Oh by the way, they are 3 beautiful RIR, Itty, Bitty and Gritty.

Well thanks for listening, hope I answered a question or 2 for you.