Wing clipping on young chickens?

[mamacara]

Hi I'm pretty new to having chickens, I have 6 chick's that are about 8 or 9 weeks old, 5 MaranX and one unknown. They are starting to flutter about in their run and I'm worried about them getting out, but i can't find any info on clipping wings of young chick's.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

I don't recommend doing that. I would try and cover the top of their brooder, mine go to that point and covering it worked great.

 

[mamacara]

Unfortunately that's not an option for us as they have far outgrown their brooder and are outside in their coop and run. I don't think they could actually get out but I wasn't sure if clipping their wings this young was possible or not.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

I guess it is possible but I think you should wait until fully grown.

 

[aart]

Cover the run?
You'd have to be very careful clipping chicks wings, harder to spot blood feathers, and they will be growing another set soon anyway.
If you do clip a blood feather, fully pluck the feather immediately to stop bleeding.

 

[chickengal512]

Clipping their wings takes away their only source of defense. If a predator gets in their pen theyll try to fly, but they cant if their wings are clipped, they cant protect themselves.