Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[CarolinaIsland]

I recently found my biggest girl looking in the front porch window at me, side by side with the stray cat. One was clucking, one was meowing, both were hungry.

This is a problem since the gates were closed and I have a 6-foot fence. Did she FLY over? I've seen them fly (or glide) about 2 ft off the ground for short distances but now I'm worried.

Should I clip their wings? What about the bantams? They fly like little fat pigeons! Do I clip their wings as well? (or have them clipped, ad I'm pretty sure that's not something I want to just try on my own)

I love the way their feathers look and I've never seen them take any substantial flights but at this point it seems I either do that or start to keep them penned, which would break my heart.

 

[queenchick16]

Welcome to the gang JP.

You can clip their wings. Most people clip one side. It throws them off balance..it's like cutting bangs. Someone can answer this but I don't think the silkies will get up onto the 6 foot fence and then over.

 

[queenchick16]

Carolina, I forgot to say, I leave the last 2 longest feathers,it looks better. They still won't get airborne. Sharp scissors..

 

[CarolinaIsland]

And Vinny the Bantam roo gets to come in with his woman and hang out with us each evening.
He's got a thing for baseball.
Whenever we're watching a game he'll fly at the tv and hover there, flapping his wings at the field.
Of course I try to grab him before he goes but sometimes he gets past. ALWAYS right to the green on the field.

 

[CarolinaIsland]

Thanks Queenchick. I didn't know if clipping is something folks do on the regular.

They're gonna hate me.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Welcome to the gang JP.

You can clip their wings. Most people clip one side. It throws them off balance..it's like cutting bangs. Someone can answer this but I don't think the silkies will get up onto the 6 foot fence and then over.

I don't think silkies wings are made for flying-how far will a tiny furry stick take you?

My girls really don't get any altitude, but the turkeys are already flying. They're 5 weeks old.

 

[jpefein]

Silkies don't fly. Yes they can flap their wings really hard and it might get them a jump but not a fly. No way can mine get anywhere near six feet. They free range all day and more then flying they can find their way through tiny rails in the fence or through really dense bushes but not up over six feet. You are safe. It's funny my girls don't even like to jump out the side door of their coop. Their wings won't help them!

 

[jpefein]

Question for the group.... I have silkies. This will be our first winter together. Thoughts on their hardiness during the winter or if I need an alternate heat source....

 

[CarolinaIsland]

I don't have silkies...I have two Japanese/Serama X Bantams that fly like the dickens and three Easter Eggers, one that somehow scaled a fence.

Crazy birds.

 

[jpefein]

Hi. The silkies are two years. They are two black, a partridge, and a blue! Where in rockland?