alligg Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Hi Is there anyone in the Lincoln area that would be able to assist us in wing clipping,we just dont feel confident enough to do it ourselves and it will be quite costly at the vet for 4 birds. I am happy to pay petrol or something if anyone could help it would be much appreciated thanks Alli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Hi Alli, I know it is quite daunting to do this, we felt excatly the same and if we could have got someone else to do it we would have. However we didnt know of anyone and so we just had to bite the bullet and do it! Definately a two man job. Get hold of the hen firmly and the other person can pull the wing out and just clip 4 or 5 inches of the longest feathers. It doesnt hurt them honestly. I was shaking when I first did it, but its not that bad really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Have a look at some photos and try yourself, it looks worse than it is and as long as you don't cut the quick you'll be fine. I think you can try rubbing soap on it if you did, which will stop the bleeding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I had never clipped a chicken's wings before but it is quite easy and it does not hurt them. A bit like cutting your nails. I found this video useful. A good sized pair of sharp scissors is needed. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligg Posted July 5, 2009 Author Share Posted July 5, 2009 I bit the bullet and clipped their wings,bless them they were so good and just sat on my knee very quietly,not 100% sure if ive taken enough off but at least now I know I can do it.they went out in the garden for the first time for about 3 hours,picked the 2 rangers up and put them back in and the sussex ran to follow.thought it would be better to let them out for a bit at a time and get them used to going back in,is this the right thing to do? thanks all for your encouragement to do the wings myself. Alli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Well done alli, not so bad once you've done is it. But I do know exactly how you felt Free ranging is entirely up to you, it can be a good thing to be able to entice them back into the run with a bit of corn just so whenever you need to get them in quick you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligg Posted July 5, 2009 Author Share Posted July 5, 2009 I would like them to be out as much as possible,they are now asleep in the run obviously worn out from the little trip out lol I didnt want to overdo it for the first couple of days as they didnt free range much where they came from. I was so pleased with them today,my partner is at work so was a little worried that I wouldnt be able to get them back in but I think they realised they would get a little corn if they cooperated. i'm still a little nervous about doing the right things for my ladies but thanks to everyone on this site I know if I need any support its there. Alli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teri Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 i love to see my girls free ranging plus it also allows them to get at the grass as there is none left in their run i only do it when im at home as my garden backs on to cannock chase which is a huge forest area, home to loads of foxes. i found that after a couple of outings the girls go back in by themselves before fox o'clock! all i have to do then is close the run up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Well done for doing it yourself. I clipped the wings of my girls that hatched in February at the weekend. Managed to also cut the back of one hand with the scissors Painless for the girls but I ended up dripping blood everywhere. I obviously need a responsible adult to help use sharp implements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Well done for giving it a go yourself! I was thinking of posting a similar thread too so I'm glad I read this. I think I have the confidence to try it myself - so thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Morse Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 How often should the wings be clipped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligg Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 I was told their wings would need doing about every 6 months is this right,how do you know when they are ready? just when you see they have grown? It really was like everyone said and now ive done it i'm pleased.it did help my girls were so good. Alli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 When they've gone through a moult and grown new feathers in place of the clipped ones. I got my first ladies last August and had their wings clipped, none have gone through a full moult so they haven't needed clipping again. Having said that though even if they did re-grow I wouldn't bother clipping again because those ladies have shown no interest in escaping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
