Mrs. Houdini and wing clipping

[JayUmmelVT]

Out of the 18 birds, this little golden comet is the only one smart enough to figure out she can jump/hop and land on top of the 3 ft plastic poultry netting and remove herself from the run. I clipped one wing and she continues to make the jump. Whats great, is she hops back in to eat, drink and lay. Problem is she wanders into what will be the neighbors garden in a month and I am also worried about her "teaching" the others they could also taste the sweet freedom.
So my question is,,,,,
Would it help to clip the OTHER wing??
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jay

 

[newchicksnducks]

I think 3 foot is just too low of a fence. My girls hop 3 feet to get to their lowest roost or highest nest boxes...and I have some heavy breeds (Jersey Giant, BO, etc). Hopefully someone else might have suggestions for you, but I think you may need to get a higher fence.

 

[Jeeper1540]

i agree. our yard has a ceiling anyway, but we still built it between 6 and 8 feet high.

 

[cluckers&quackers]

I would say a higher fence also. It seems there is always at least one that figures out they can get over it.

 

[JayUmmelVT]

Ummmm,
I installed nearly 120 ft of the stuff. I'd rather pursue another option at this point. Shes the only one after a month of being out that has figured she could do it. How about the double wing clipping? I don't like doing it period, but she would be the only one.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Well, I hate to say it, but I agree with all the other posters, she's going to get over a 3 ft. fence regardless, even if you clip the other wing. One clipped wing throws them off balance and makes it hard to fly, two clipped wings just mean she's going to flap a lot harder and still get over your 3 ft fence.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Oh, and most likely they will all figure it out soon enough.

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:
Try clipping the other wing so she would be double clipped. If you have Raising Chickens for Dummies you would find instructions in there.
Obsereve if she still can do the "Houdini". If she can you might need to replace the height of your fencing to a much higher height.

 

[Bantimna]

Oh and Welcome from South Africa

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
I'm not sure if she is actually FLYING over the fence, or JUMPING over the fence. Clipping the wings will help if flying, but if she is hopping over, it won't make any difference:/