How long will clipped wings take to grow out for show?

[BuckNBark Farm]

Hi- I have some Phoenix and Polish chicks that are just wild, already trying to fly to get away from me! I hold them about 10 minutes each day. (My Silkie chicks like me just fine, so I can't be THAT bad). Anyway, I'm thinking that I'm going to have to trim the wing feathers of the flying birds when they go into their new coop, unless I can I tame them by then. I'm wondering- will the wing feathers grow out fully before I start (my first) show season next year? Will the judges be able to tell if they've been clipped a yr ago? And will both wings be the same length by then? Thanks so much!

Pam

 

[sourland]

In order for the feathers to regrow it will be necesssary to pull them or wait until the bird goes through a molt.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Ok- Thanks!

 

[yo burrill]

I dont think pheonix birds molt like regular chickens so do your research before clipping. Would be a shame to loose a show bird cause the feathers dont grow back...

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Thanks you very much. I've been bribing them with sprouts to eat out of my hand. They will take one on the run, the try to fly and/or climb up the wall of the brooder. They can't fly, they are only a couple of weeks old- but they sure are trying. The Phoenix (male, I think) grabs and run. They don't try to fly. One (female, I'm hoping) just watches from afar; and grab the sprouts out of the mouth of the others. The smart one. Pam

 

[yo burrill]

To really tame then you need to hold them alot!!!! They will run away from you for a while. Just pick them up and then once you have them in your hand give them the treat. They need to realize in your hand is the only place they get treats. Then once they are calm put them back down and repeat.... Right now they arent learning anything but the grab and run which is not what you want. My chicks go nuts for earth worms. I let mine walk all over me while Im on the computer or watching T.V. at night. They love to sit on my shoulder and cuddle up. I keep my babies in the house till they are three to four weeks old so they get used to the dogs and people walking around them and I can hold them when ever I get a couple minutes. You cant clip feathers till they are fully grown in anyways and flapping those wings builds the breast muscles that you need for a good show bird.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I've been holding them about 10 minutes, because I'm not sure about their age- is it ok for me to hold them a lot at 3 wks? I'm so afraid to stress them out. I got 9 chicks from a place and 5 of them died within 2 days (coccidia, I think they had it when they got here- I had them a brand new brooder). I worry about scaring them and lowering their immune system. I'm glad to see it's ok to cuddle. I cuddle 2 silkies at a time (they are 5 and 7 wks). My 7 wk olds are still in the brooder. It's sooooo hot here, I don't want to put them out. The brooder is larger than the grow out hutch anyway. Ok- so now I'm babbling about my babies.

Thanks for the help! Pam

 

[yo burrill]

You wont scare them to death so hold them!! I hold mine from the time they are hatched. The more you try not to scare them they less they learn how not to be scared. The key is to hold them till they settle then reward them for doing the right thing with the treats or letting them loose. Dont let them loose while they are scared this teaches them that being scared gets them let go....

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Thanks! I'll start the snuggling right now!