Should I clip wing feathers on my cockerel?

[FattySmough]

The question is as the title says. I've read that roosters use their wings to balance during mating, and that clipping a wing can keep them from mating properly. My Easter Egger cockerel has recently started trying to mate and I would be fine leaving his wings alone, but our nextdoor neighbor has a huge dog in their yard that could easily kill a chicken if it wanted to. The fence is around 3 to 3.5 feet tall. Is it a bad idea to clip wing feathers anyways? Or can he balance fine if I clip both wings rather than just one?

 

[nuthatched]

I don't think clipping his wings will affect mating at all. You might want to add a tall layer to your fence like chicken wire, he might still be able to fly over it even with clipped wings.

 

[FattySmough]

Thank you! Glad to know it's all right. I'll be sure to add something to the fence.

 

[raingarden]

Being able to fly well can save his life when chased by a dog.

 

[FattySmough]

Being able to fly well can save his life when chased by a dog.

That's true. I have to either choose between him flying worse and not getting into the other yard, or him possibly getting into the yard and still being able to fly.