When can the wings be clipped?

[Mommysongbird]

Our 1 week old are already 'flapping' and are able to hop/fly up to the top of the waterer and feeders. I am going to be putting them in a new brooder (dog kennel) to make sure they stay 'inside the box'.

Can I clip their wings now, or is it still too soon?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

You will get all kinds of answers, but yes you can.


I would not - wings and their flapping help develop muscles in the chicks and keep them busy.

You can put a window screen across the top of your brooder to keep any wayward flappers in. Or use a brooder with higher walls. My rule of thumb is: when the chicks can hop out of the brooder, it is time to move to the next size. We have a 50 gallon rubbermaid tote in the house and then three 150 gallon rubbermaid water troughs out in the garage.