Wing clipping! Help needed :)

[Chickiepoo87]

We are going to attempt to clip our duck and the hens wings today, never done this before but we have watched a ton of you tube videos lol. Looking for advice on best practices, do’s and dont’s etc....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cut one wing first. I remove 1/2 to 3/4 of the primary flight feathers. If that doesn't work than go back and do the other. Sometimes when you do both they can't get up on roosts or into boxes. Feathers won't grow back until the fall molt, so start small and go from there.

 

[Abriana]

Just remember that you can cut more, but you can't uncut! Start with one wing. Usually that throws them enough off balance that they can't get over a fence/fly away, but so that they can still fly up into nest boxes (if they are elevated) or onto other places within their enclosure.

 

[centrarchid]

The ducks will be contained by clipping one wing (unilateral). To stop the chickens from clambering, be prepared to clip both wings (bilateral). Clambering can also make use of secondaries so be prepared to cut those too. You may need to adjust roosting options as you clip to confine. See thread linked where I did a little experiment.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...with-perimeter-fencing.1261276/#post-20243847

I do not clip wings often, but take care to do it correctly when done.

 

[chickens really]

Why clip in the first place?

 

[Chickiepoo87]

Why clip in the first place?

So they don’t fly out of the yard when free ranging Daphne (our ) is especially flighty lol I also have quite a few breeds that are approximately 16 weeks that are know for being flighty as well so I want to be prepared