Wing Clipping Confusion (Please Help)

[Chickadee Salt]

I was just wondering which option is best to prevent a chicken from flying out of the fence: clipping one wing, or clipping both?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You start by clipping one generally to see if that works. When you clip both it can greatly limit chickens from getting up on roosts or nestboxes, and can cause problems as they can't slow down drops if they happen to get up on stuff.

 

[Chickadee Salt]

Ok. Thank you very much. My chicken was just badly attacked by a dog, and I don't want that to happen to my other chickens who fly out. The injured chicken is okay, but I don't think she'll be able to fly ever again.

 

[TropicalBabies]

What oldhens said. Definitely start with the primaries on one wing and then graduate from there if need be. I think the clipping works wonderful on my larger breads. I only have to clip one primary, on my little bantam mix girls it is worthless. Honestly, I have clipped both wings starting with one primary then secondary then second wing, primary then secondary. Did not work. Girls still hop my 4' fence, they just struggle more and are not as safe as they used to be. I am now increasing the height of my fence and gate.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Ok. Thank you very much. My chicken was just badly attacked by a dog, and I don't want that to happen to my other chickens who fly out. The injured chicken is okay, but I don't think she'll be able to fly ever again.

so sorry!!!!

 

[CaramelKittey]

Hi!

I had two hens and one large rooster who were very stronger flyers and would get into trouble. We clipped their primary feathers half way down on both wings and they could still fly over our 6ft fence! Crazy! We then clipped all of their primary feathers on both wings and that did the job Just the primary feathers and, they have no trouble getting to their roosts. The roosts are not that high though.

Hope this helps!

 

[Chickadee Salt]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Beer can]

I clip one wing, keeps them off balance. Clipping both and they just flap harder and get out.
But sometimes they just fight hard to get out so clipping both is the only option .... Then cheap bird netting for a top is the only option.
Don't go by breeds as far as who will escape , my worst has been JGs, suppose to not ... Lol.
I prefer to free range all the time but cull hard before winter, keep just breeding stock, at a minimum, so free ranging losses are not acceptable.
Good luck!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Would you be able to put some bird netting over the top of their run to prevent them from flying out?

Edited May 7th: I prefer not to clip wings as "flying" is their only defense getting away from a predator. Hence Hubby made me my ChickenHouse (8x12x7), limits me to the amount I keep (think it was Hubby's way to control Chicken Math) but they are confined and safe. Granted I do feel "bad" they can't roam but prefer them safe.

 

[Fairview01]

If I have to catch them to clip one I do both so I dont have to catch them a second time. Roosts shouldn't be so high to cause a problem getting up or possible injury getting down.