Yay or nay clipping wings.

[bamafan87]

Thoughts about this?

 

[CorinneP]

I think it really depends on your personal needs .. I have free Rangers I do not clip hoping they have a better defense to get away from possible predators ..

 

[bamafan87]

Thanks!

 

[DianeS]

Well, clipping their wing feathers doesn't hurt them, so I don't have an opinion. If they need it, clip. If they don't, then leave them as nature created them. Some chickens simply MUST stay inside a fence or risk life and limb with neighboring animals, and clipping may be the best way to ensure that. Others don't have those issues.

Then if you do decide to clip, there is the decision about clipping one wing or two. Clipping one wing allows them to get off the ground using the lift from the other wing, but the chicken can not fly straight, usually crashes after flying a partial circle, and often decides not to try again. But they don't *always* have enough trouble to keep them from trying again, and some succeed in getting away and into trouble. On the other hand, clipping two wings keeps the bird from getting lift at all, and it stays within inches of the ground. But this way the chicken has no escape if a predator gets into the safe yard, it can't get higher than it can jump. There are pros and cons to all aspects of the "to clip or not to clip" issue.

 

[bamafan87]

Thanks for coming from both sides of it!

 

[CatUT]

I clip my parakeets wings because they are escape artists and it makes it way easier for me to catch them. It doesn't hurt them and the feathers grow back. I don't clip my chicken's wings. They are way too fat to even fly and are kept in a fenced in area. If I did have a problem or need to clip their wings, I would do it. I"m just really glad I don't need to.

 

[LCEchickens]

All 3 of my neighbors have dogs that would love a chicken dinner. It's critical that my hens stay on my side of the fence! I clip one wing and have never had an issue. I am a little worried about my young EE though, she is clipped but can still get pretty good height when jumping onto the roosts in the run. It will be awhile before I am comfortable letting her free range without supervision!

 

[bamafan87]

Thanks everyone! Also, what age can you clip their wings?

 

[little farmer]

I think that I would have to go with nay with clipping their wings cause chickens can't really fly. I know someone who said that their chickens did NOT like their wings being clipped and that they got kinda traumatized. But I think that that's your call.

 

[peepmommy]

as long as the feathers are full grown, you can clip them. make sure you check the underside of each feather so you don't end up clipping a blood feather. if you do end up cutting one, keep some styptic powder on hand or flour to put on the tip to clot it. i don't clip mine, but i live on 19 acres and they could use a little help just in case a coon wanted to catch them!