Pinioning day or two old ducklings?

[zeberman]

Just doing some research into pinioning the newborns wings. I was told by a friend who raises muscovies that it doesn't hurt them and it rarely ever even bleeds. Wondering how many people do this, or what experiences anyone has had with this procedure (clipping off the cartilaginous tip of the wing as a method of permanent wing clipping). I am getting some newborns in about a month and wondering if I should consider doing it (otherwise will be beauty clipping every year as usual). Thanks!!

 

[Kevin565]

Are you planning on free ranging them?

 

[zeberman]

yes, they will have a fenced off area but will be out in the open. except at night.

 

[Kevin565]

Do you have a lot of predators in your area?

 

[zeberman]

raccoons and hawks are the only two that i know of. except cats will try to get the babies, but the mamas should be there to protect them at that stage. but the raccoons are vicious, however luckily they only come around at night when everyone should be indoors. Should is the key word however. Are you asking because they wouldn't be able to fly away from a predator? I guess i didn't know if it was like a beauty clip where they could still kinda fly in a wonky way, or if it was just no flying whatsoever with the pinioning?

 

[Kevin565]

Yes, that's why I was asking. The one's I've seen could barely get off the ground if they were pinioned especially the heavier birds. I would personally just stick with clipping the wings.

 

[zeberman]

that makes total sense. thanks. my girls with beauty clips still manage to fly pretty well around the yard and perch up on the structures and everything. I wouldn't want them to not be able to get up off the ground if need be. Just don't want them flying away and getting into trouble!

 

[mominoz]

I pinoned my ducks that might fly well(Hookbills), not my SQ runners or Saxony as they can't really fly anyway, flap, not airborne.Also my minature Shetland geese as they are said to be good flyers. I followed the directions here on BYC and some AG. websites. Mine "free-range' in a fenced area. I have a resident hawk and live next to a National Forest. Mine are locked up at night and hotwired. No loss 3 yrs. I used to trim wings, but it is a hassel to do alone and I just didn't want another chore. Plus I show some. My dogs are fenced away , and I have 4 ft. fence to keep dogs out.... there are cats , but the geese and larger ducks scare the cats...I do have 3 Hookbills not pinoned and every once in a while I find one "over the fence", frantically trying to get back in. I am getting slower and don't want to chase flying birds

 

[jdywntr]

I'd just clip a wing. I've had muscovy females still be able to get up pretty high with beauty clips. If I clip a wing, a do a full clip, it keeps them down off of anything they can't jump on. I'm starting to let them go without though since we have more room and alot of predators. I like having the option. Pinioning is permanent. I can always clip a wing.

 

[JoeCole]

Can a pinioned Canadian goose still breed to get fertile eggs