Muscovy wing clip question

[jdywntr]

Well, I knew that I was going to have to clip their wings soon but imagine my surprise as I was about to leave for a job interview and looked outside to see one of my Muscovy about 8-10 feet in the air FLYING across the backyard. I think I yelled HUBBA BUBBA (I'm trying not to curse too much) and ran outside in my nice interview outfit. I herded them into the duck run, locked them up, cleaned off my shoes and went to my interview.

I was thinking the culprit was the female, all I saw was lots of white wing. I had gotten some advice (today) on how to go about this alone (THANK YOU Miss Lydia). I went outside cornered her and gathered her up (finally) and managed to clip her left wing. My scissors were not sharp enough but it looked pretty good.

I then decided I'd try to wrangle some of the boys. That was NOT going to happen. After chasing them around for a bit in the run, I gave up. They were freaked out and I didn't want them to hurt themselves.

My question, do I NEED to clip the boys?
They are only a few months old, have just gotten their flight feathers and are twice the females size (I'd say she is about 5 lbs).

 

[Wulfandwyn]

My 3 month old boy took off yesterday but he didn't get far off the ground so I am wondering the same thing.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Yes. My MIL used to have Muscovies and they would fly across the pasture & over the top of the two story barn.

The white bars on their wings occur in both sexes and develop as the birds age. My Muscovy males who are now about 1.5 years old just got theirs during their current molt.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Oh and it's easier to do it at night if you don't have anyone to help you capture and clip them. I use an old towel to throw over them and to keep their claws away....use sharp scissors and only clip one wing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I clipped my young drakes wing because here they can get up on the back bank and take off. from the ground I don't think he could but didn't want to take the chance.

 

[jdywntr]

Thanks again Miss Lydia and thanks Rare Feather Farms. I think I'll try the towel trick. After I posted this I saw one of the males (locked up in the duck run) get a bit off the ground.

Unfortunately, DH is out of town until Monday night and I'd feel bad leaving them locked up for that long so, tomorrow I will be rounding them up.

Its bad timing as today was the first time 2 of them ate out of my hand. They will get close but had not yet eaten out of my hand. Probably going to blow that relationship but I am not going to be able to keep all the males. I guess maybe I'll see who handles this the best and he will be the winner of staying around.

 

[AKCub]

This is how I decided it was time to clip my muscovy hen's wings (tonight).

Look on corner of 30+ foot roof eave...

Scott

 

[jdywntr]

Quote:
Ahhh. Priceless.

I went out early this morning and clipped the boys. Easier than I thought using a towel to catch them.