Wing clipping...

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Huh?

My friend, it is all aerodynamics. If it were only all power, then clipping wouldn't do a darn thing. You could rip every single feather off the bird and it wouldn't matter.

Yes, clipping one wing will work on some birds, but it won't on others who are very motivated. The reason is that the bird can obtain enough lift along with that power to get over the fence.

Argue if you wish; we can agree to disagree. My recommendation to those who understand that chickens do have limited flight capabilities is one wing may work -- clipping two wings are better.

 

[Ohhhdear]

As to when to clip.....
I sneak into the coop after they're all bedded down for the night and gently take out each bird. You hold the body close to you, extend out the wing you want to clip and scissor off an inch or two of the long primary flight feathers. I think there's 10-12 of them. The last time I clipped my 12 ISA Brown's wings it was just after they'd gone into the coop and they were quiet, but it wasn't so dark I couldn't see.
Remember that when the bird moults and the flight feathers regrow you'll have to redo clipping.

Personally, I clip both wings. Their coop is on stilts, and with one wing clipped a hen flew at least 6' up onto the roof before she slid off (looking extremely silly, btw). Since I've started clipping both wings they can flap all they want but can't lift very high.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:

That sounds less stressful than what I do. I just go in during the daytime, but I basically use the same technique. On really motivated birds (read leghorns), I've clipped all the outer flight feathers. But now that I don't have leghorns, I don't worry as much.

I've had some birds regrow flight feathers (probably just through normal shedding and growth), so I check them every few months and clip as required.

 

[Alabama ee]

At first, I clipped one wing on each. They still managed to go over the fence. Then, I clipped both wings. They could still get over the fence. Then, I clipped a little more off each wing. I clipped more then is usually suggested. I was very careful not to make them bleed. They could still could go over the fence.

Now, for the most part, they have almost stopped going over to the other side. However, it is not because of any wing clipping. I think they have gotten tired of being chased back over to the right side.lol