wing clipping

[rebel yell]

I hope this is the right place for this, but anyhow, has anyone had to clip the wing on any of your birds to stop them from flying out of the pen, I know I need to put tops on them but my pens are big & cant realy afford to put tops on them, I know clipping one wing can usuly stop them from flying over the fence, but will it hurt anything elese, I dont think it will but anybody got any input on this ?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Quote:
I clipped mine I clipped both wings though.

 

[Uncle Marc]

I would like to piggy back on your question. We clipped the wings of the chickens we had years ago, and it seemed to work. What I want to know now is how it will affect their ability to get into nesting boxes about 3 feet off the floor and up onto the roosts, which will be about 4-5 feet off the floor.

 

[DancingHen]

I have not clipped any of my chickens, but I have clipped my ducks. I clipped the first 10 main flight feathers (the longest ones) on just one wing. I clipped them to the length of the shorter ones beside and beneath them...careful not to clip too short. Doing one wing puts them off balance so they can't fly. They can still flutter and get up on lower platforms, perches, branches, etc.. I don't think it has prevented them from getting around too bad. If you let your chickens free range in a large, open area I do not suggest clipping their wings as it will slow them down and make them easier for predators to catch.

 

[NorthestGeorgia14]

can you do that to chukar?

 

[debs_flock]

You're only supposed to clip one wing. Here are some instructions from this site.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-wingclipping.html

I have clipped wings in the past, currently I have a fully covered run.

Deb

 

[dawg53]

I've clip both wings, never had problem.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Birds with clipped wings can and will hop up on roosts and nests that high with no problem. Speaking from experience, I dont recommend having roosts and nests that high up especially if you have heavy breed birds. When they hop down they can end up spraining their leg, pulling a tendon or ligament when landing on the floor so hard. Then they end up in the hospital cage recuperating. Some heal, some dont...depending on the severity of the injury. I recommend you lower your roosts and nests like I did.

 

[MissClaraCluck]

I clipped one wing of my Buff Orpington hen, but she could still jump over a 3 foot mesh fence. I think it depends on how determined they are to get over. I don't think she could get high enough to clear a 5 ft fence though.