does clipping wing feathers work?

[bj taylor]

my gang of 12 fly wherever they want. they've got a huge area to roam, and they want to go in the front yard, dig up my newly planted rose & generally make themselves a nuisance. when they get tired or thirsty, they fly back over the fences & take a hard earned break.

 

[so lucky]

It works for some chickens, the heavier breeds like orps do best, but they might not be inclined to fly anyway. If they are a slim breed, like my skinny EE's they could fly with no feathers! lol Lots of people advise just clipping one wing, to throw off their balance, I guess. You may have better luck just encircling your roses with fencing or wire. It takes a lot less to keep them out of a small bed like that. I have that really cheap ugly green wire fencing that comes on a roll. It's only about 18" high, before you stick it in the ground, but it is enough to keep the girls out of my new azalea bed.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

the reason behind wing clipping is to make it harder for the birds to try and fly. it can make them tired quicker than if they had their full wing feathers. you would only be clipping their primary feathers and not the secondaries if you choose to do this. i had learned this when i used to own parakeets as a kid, but have not done this with chickens since i mostly own heavier breeds that don't easily fly up! those fat bantam cochins just look funny when they try using their wings to fly!

 

[ninnymary]

I've done it and it works. But they were in a small run. If they have a large space where they have a head start, it may not work.

Mary

 

[digitS']

I've gone the one-wing route. It works.

However, the bird tests its wings every day. After awhile, it will realize that they are of use again.

Wing clipping has to be a fairly regular thing. I seem to remember needing to do it every 3 or 4 weeks, something like that.

Steve

 

[journey11]

It helps... Especially if you only do one side. It throws them off balance.

 

[OldGuy43]

It worked for us with our Red Sex-Links. No escapes since clipping one wing.

 

[seedcorn]

Agree, key is ONE wing. Do both they will fly or half fly and half climb out

 

[bj taylor]

one wing it is. will have to wait for dh to get home from his little trip to Israel (blast his adventurous hide). I think that is going to be a two person job.

 

[lesa]

I have never clipped wings... how old are your chickens? I think once they realize everything they need is in their "area" they stop trying to fly. At least, mine did. Good luck!