When can I clip wings?

[Bcmacias]

Our 4 backyard chickens are about 8 weeks old. Their wings will need to be clipped to help them stay safely in our yard. I want them to free range some while I can watch them. What age can I clip them? I think they’re anxious to explore peck the grass!

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

What breed are they? Silkies and some heavy breeds aren't good flyers and don't need it done.

 

[Bcmacias]

What breed are they? Silkies and some heavy breeds aren't good flyers and don't need it done.

Barred Rock, Black Asian, California White, and ISA Brown.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Around 8 weeks they should be grown in enough. Growing feathers should not be clipped only the ones fully in.
The barred rock is the only one I would not worry to much about because I have contained mine in a 4 foot garden fence. Of course they were full grown and their bodies were heavy so they could not get lift. So you might want to clip them until it gets some weight on the body to help ground them.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Clip one side wing, flight feathers. They need to be able to get away from predators, even with you supervising things can happen faster than you can move. If you're free ranging, hopefully they have foliage around to run for cover if need be. Silkies are the "only" breed I know that can't fly.

 

[Bcmacias]

Around 8 weeks they should be grown in enough. Growing feathers should not be clipped only the ones fully in.
The barred rock is the only one I would not worry to much about because I have contained mine in a 4 foot garden fence. Of course they were full grown and their bodies were heavy so they could not get lift. So you might want to clip them until it gets some weight on the body to help ground them.

Do growing feathers look different so I know not to cut them? I heard there are blood feathers which I’m assuming that is the growing feathers. Would I be able to see the difference in blood feathers and regular feathers? I don’t want to cut inadvertently cut them.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Do growing feathers look different so I know not to cut them? I heard there are blood feathers which I’m assuming that is the growing feathers. Would I be able to see the difference in blood feathers and regular feathers? I don’t want to cut inadvertently cut them.

here's a link with a drawing that might give you a better visual. Flight feathers should be in at the age of yours so you won't miss them when you spread the wing out they are the longest ones on the end.
https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/how-to-clip-a-wing-to-stop-chickens-flying/