WING-CLIPPING: CRUEL OR NECESSARY? ~ Open Poll~

[Mylied]

I only have to clip my turkey hen's feathers. She likes to get out and explore and my tom follows her. A couple years ago they got into the neighbor's yard who have a slew of dogs tied out front. I clip ever since. She doesn't learn either. Soon as her new feathers come in, she's out the fence. It's a good acre or so fenced in too but I guess the grass is always greener. I've never had to do it to a chicken. But I don't think it's cruel in any way.

 

[Paintingsummerpurple]

Do you clip your poultry's wings?
Or do you hate it?

I'm curious to know, so please share your opinions.

You are welcome you chat, but if you have a strong opinion, please just be respectful.

GO FOR IT!

I clip. It saves them from the fox on the other side of our chicken fence. It does not hurt at all. The most stressful part is being caught by me.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

I shouldn't have marked the one I did. I DON'T HAVE a coop, live on 20a. New Dog did but no longer kills them.
I don't care what others decide. It depends on their own environmental needs. I think it takes away a chicken's natural ability to Escape to safety. Why I Did mark the one I did...Had a brush fire burn about 70% of our property early Sept. They survived for days while I was evacuated. Half the trees MAY make it. Fire came within 5ft, on one corner of the cabin but it's still standing!! Since it took the shed, scavenger firewood pile, a bush, think any coop would of gone up with the fire also.
The chickens do go under the back porch, maybe where they were during the fire? The wild Turkeys roost up in the pines SO maybe they joined them? VERY Thankful I didn't have them in a coop OR Clipped!
Pic is from G camera on West Facing side of cabin, back porch is around the corner, to the right..

 

[chickencoop57]

I personally would not clip the wings of free ranging chickens. They need to be able to fly into a tree or something to get away from danger on the ground. However , like Mystery Chicken mentioned, I too had to clip the wing of a couple inside the run because they had flown over the fence or on top of the coop.

 

[RebelEgger]

I would do it if I had to, but mine are enclosed so it’s not necessary. You never know what the future holds!

 

[chicken_who]

I only clip the primary flight feathers on one wing so they don't escape in to neighbours gardens. If I wasn't as close to neighbours and had a lot of land then I wouldn't bother because it wouldn't be necessary.

 

[UluLaté]

We've had chicken s on several properties

As with many things, what one would do in an urban or suburban environment will be different than what one would do in the country.

In a back yard with close neighbors situation, clipped wings are necessary. In a situation where there's a highway nearby, clipped wings would be advisable.

Clipping is quick, easy and painless.

In the country we don't clip our chickens, because of predators. We let their nails, feathers, etc. grow and keep roosters to help keep the flock safe. That means coddling sweet roosters, so they don't get mean. If we have a mean rooster I'll file down the spur so no one gets hurt. We've had injuries with friends roosters when farm sitting I find my sweet roosters will fiercely defend their flock from threats, but are docile with us.

 

[countryladyNH]

Have never, will never, and not for it.

 

[fmh]

I did it for one troublemaking rooster that would fly over the fence and then a bunch of the females would follow I also clipped the wings of a he. Who decided to start laying her eggs under the coop. It doesn’t hurt them and in my case keeps them safe from predators

 

[auntsuzie1946]

It

Do you clip your poultry's wings?
Or do you hate it?

I'm curious to know, so please share your opinions.

You are welcome you chat, but if you have a strong opinion, please just be respectful.

GO FOR IT!

It's not cruel since they feathers grow back and it doesn't hurt the chicken. I have clipped the wings on young birds until they learn to stay in the yard. I have not had to clip any for over a year.