Week Old Flyers

[NanaDebbie]

Is it normal for one week old chicks to fly?

I have eleven one week old Black Sex Links, in our dining room. They are in a nearly two feet high box. Oh and they do have a nice inferred heat lamp attached to the box. I've done the moving the lamp up and or in different locations if I can see that the chicks are getting to warm. Sometimes I will turn if off for an hour or so, to see how they respond to less heat.
This morning I went to make coffee and could hear lots of fluttering, and I mean wispy fluttering. I look over and several of them were, and still are, attempting to fly up and out of their box. In fact, one has managed to fly on top of her food dish, in attempt to fly up and out from there.
Is this normal for one week old chicks? Their wings and feathers haven't grown in completely. Can I clip their wings this soon?

Help!

Sincerely,

Debbie

 

[centrarchid]

At one week they have the ability to clamber / climb by running up something with wing assist. By two weeks short flights will be possible. Clipping can be done must be repeated as birds grow. My preference is to make broader harder escape, especially when you have larger numbers of chicks.

All said and done I like mine being able fly as same feathers protect core from elements.

 

[aart]

Yep, normal...agrees with centrarchid, better to leave their feathers at this point and make the brooder taller or cover it with mesh or screening.

Be very careful if you decide to clip anyway, new feathers growing have lots of blood in them.