Problem flying chickens

[Cohl0406]

My little flock of 5 Easter eggers are becoming trouble. I had a visit from my neighbor today that they went over to his house and dug up the flower bed and all the mulch. He understood they are just being chickens but I have to stop their wandering. I found them 2 yards over before. We live on a little over half an acre, they always have plenty of food available, I'm going to add a mulch bed I guess and hide the dried meal worms in a big area to give them something to do. Our fence is only about 4 ft tall and we hope to get a new one built here in the months to come but seems like clipping a wing is all that might help. We live in a county that dogs can roam free and lost a flock because of that before so I want to keep them contained for that reason too. Will clipping a wing help with them since they are a "medium breed. One hen JUST laid her first egg today so they are only about 6 months old if that helps. ANY advise helps!

 

[Welshies]

Yes one wing should do the trick. Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, try clipping one wing on each pullet. It should help, until you raise the fence height. You may need to confine them in a covered run (build one!) at least for now. Visiting the neighbors is a bad thing!
Are they flying over, or getting under that fence? Mine will get under a fence if it's even a few inches above the ground.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Do one wing first and clip feathers close. If they can still get over fence, then treat other wing in a similar manner to further reduce their ability to clamber.

 

[Cohl0406]

They are going over. I've caught them mid jump. The bottom of the fence is secure because I have a Chihuahua mutt that found any place he could to escape when we first moved. I'e watched videos and seen pictures of what features to cut but just how close can I? I'm scared I'll hit blood supply.

 

[Fairview01]

They are going over. I've caught them mid jump. The bottom of the fence is secure because I have a Chihuahua mutt that found any place he could to escape when we first moved. I'e watched videos and seen pictures of what features to cut but just how close can I? I'm scared I'll hit blood supply.

Yup you probably will quick a primary feather or 2 the first couple times and they will holler and object to getting their wings clipped even if you don't.

Get a good sharp pair of kitchen shears, look up an image of feathers on a chicken wing to know what a primary feather is and honestly, I would clip both wings straight away. It will save you from having to try to catch a smarter chicken a second time.

Just remember clearing a 4' high fence isn't a challenge to a determined chicken with clipped wings either. They may not make it over the first couple attempts but they learn from each failure how much more effort is required to succeed.

 

[Cohl0406]

What do I need to stop bleeding if I do cut too close?

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend clipping wings. I have a four foot fence and two of my chickens used to fly over all the time. I clipped their wings but they still flew over. I eventually had to add bird netting over my run to prevent them from escaping. Either you could make your fence taller or add bird netting on top.
Clipping their wings did make it harder for them to fly, but I don't think it matters at four feet. Although of course, this is just my one experience, so don't only rely on me. Clipping wings might or might not work for you.
I hope you figure it out!

 

[Fairview01]

Powdered alum is one thing you could use. Just stay away from the thick quill of the primary. Quicking a primary is about the same as when you quick a dogs nail. There will be blood but they won't hemorrhage to death because of it.

 

[aart]

Corn starch works well as a blood stop too.
Agrees, you need a covered run.