Hi, I've been finding all sorts of useful info on this forum- thanks everyone. we recently got our first chicks. We live in French speaking Belgium but speak only a little french and the farmer we got the chicks from doesn't speak English so I'm turning to you! Anyway, a few days after we brought them home, and as their big feathers were starting to grow we noticed that three of them (all Noire Marans in french) had what I thought were deformed wings, just one wing on each chick. Asked the farmer and he very matter of factly said that he did that to them so that we didn't have to. Basically it looks like he broke half of one wing completely off each one so that they have an ugly sore, a sort of "stump". I am totally clueless and just want to know why? how? did it/does it hurt them? is this a normal practice? I am new to chickens and have heard of clipping wings but not this. If anyone can enlighten me I'd appreciate it. They are doing fine by the way. Not growing as fast as the others (Sussex and CouCou des Malines). Although it is hard to tell as they are a few days younger. Do different breeds grow at different rates? Thanks very much, Siobhan, in Belgium with 8 lovely new chicks and a big backyard waiting for them.
I'm so sorry that the farmer felt he should do that. I've never heard of that practice. Sometimes a natural deformity happens, and it's called "angel wing". But I don't think that's the case with your birds. Do they seem healthy otherwise?
Hi, quick reply! thanks. Despite lack of french it was clear that he did "it" on purpose to the chicks of that breed. Now that I think about it, he may have actually done it right there and then as i was waiting for him to pick three out of his big crowded brooder. He was handling each one for a while- i thought he was just sexing them and i was chatting to his wife so wasn't really looking. But how did he break off half of a wing and i still don't understand why? Seems cruel and unnecessary to me, not that i know anything. And he was a lovely, gentle man so I'm surprised too.
Black Marans are pretty big and heavy. Mine can't get over a 4 ft fence. He did it so they couldn't fly, but wow! They will heal, but unfortunately they can't be shown or anything. That's a shame. Anyway, from California. You're in the right place. We'll all help you out. Sorry this is a no fix though. Man I'm watching my roo falp right now out the back door. I can't imaging him with one wing. Might admit, I do like cropped ears and docked tails on certain breeds of dogs, but I'd never cut off a leg!
& from Alabama. Probably so they can't fly. Sounds sort of like wing pinioning, but I've never heard of taking that much off. Good luck with them. Btw, I'd love to see pics of your birds, especially the Malines
I've never heard of such a thing and I'm horrified but glad to hear that they seem to be doing well. Different breeds of chickens absolutely do grow at different rates. Anyway, hello from the state of Oregon and welcome to BYC!
Welcome to BYC! You have come to the coolest place on the internet for chicken knowledge. I started with chickens last summer and the people of BYC have been great. This year I have tried hatching and buying chicks for even more chickeny joy. Please visit my BYC Page for my blog links that you may find informative or amusing.
