Keeping my chickens from flying

[Ernie James]

Does anyone know how I can keep my ckinkens from flying over my fence. My fence is 5 feet high and they won't stay in.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Clip their wings.

People don't believe chickens can fly. Hehe. They can't
soar like an eagle but they can jump fences and manage
to roost in trees.

To clip wings:
Hold down the chicken and extend the wing.
Trim the longer feathers on the back of the wing.
These are the flying feathers. You will only have to
cut some to limit the chickens lift.

 

[Rebel Chicken]

Yep, clip their wing feathers. Be careful though. Don't trim too close to the wing or you may cut into the quick or the wing itself. That's a bloody mess you don't want to deal with.

 

[bamagirl68]

What age should this be done?

 

[silkiechicken]

Any age, just watch out for growing feathers.

 

[Davaroo]

And watch them after you have finished. It seems no one told the chickens that they shouldn't be able to fly on one wing. While they never do a great job of flying, even with two wings, I've watched them grow accustomed to the new arrangment and still manage to flap/hop up on fence posts, From there, it's off to the other side...

 

[bamagirl68]

Thanks!

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

In EGHs drawing (thank you for that, by the way. I'm a visual gal, and that was just what I needed!), where are the growing feathers?

I just read that a chicken can bleed to death if you cut a growing feather, and now I am scared to do this.

Another question: is it possible to do this by one's self, or is it a better two-person job?

Thanks!

 

[Wooden_Pony]

They are also called "Blood Feathers"

If you see a feather that is not exposed and is still fully wrapped in the shaft do not cut it. Or if the feather is only partically covered in the shaft do not cut it.

If you do over cut a feather and it starts to bleed you can dip it into cornstarch. There is also a product you can buy at the big pet store chains. I believe it is called "Quick Stop" check back by the dog grooming supplies.

If it is bleeding REALLY bad the best thing to do is to pull the whole feather shaft and all out. To stop the bleeding close the hole up where the feather was using suture glue, super glue works to! Basically they (the glues) are the same thing just they charge you more for the suture glue.

I am the proud owner of one clumsy parrot. Who falls and breaks blood feathers.

 

[greenmulberry]

If you can hold your chickens pretty well yourself, you can do it alone.

I sat my hens on my lap and pulled one wing out and trimmed the flight feathers. I cut about an inch and a half out from where they "root" into the wing.