Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[jackian]

When we first received our 3 girls from Omlet 6 weeks ago the lovely man showed me how to clip their wings.

We have a smallish garden which they roam about in (well it was a garden) and they are doing great..Today Florrie one of my Ginger rangers was up on the old BBQ (unlit phew!) and then with a flutter of wings on to our kitchen window...About 2 foot below our 6 foot fence..

1.. Will she get over that

2.. How often are wings clipped

3...How do I pluck up the courage to clip them

 

One neighbour one side is fine and would help save the day , the other...

[LuckyChickenLover-]

She'll get over it, don't worry.

 

I THINK that wing clipping is done every time a chicken moults, so roughly once a year. I could be wrong though, mine aren't a problem so I don't clip theirs.

 

EDIT: Just found this. Hope that helps!

[Redwing]

You need to clip just one wing on each bird, both wings clipped is as good as useless

 

Its easy to do - there is a youtube video of how to do it

 

It needs to be done every time the bird renews its feathers so once at 14 weeks ish (if necessary) again when adult feathers are through at about 20 weeks ish and again yearly after the moult

 

If it was done at the time the hen was delivered then it shouldnt need doing again but compare the wing to the youtube video and take a bit more off if necessary

[The Dogmother]

I'd keep them clipped until the hen is about 6 months old, then the should know to stay at home. I always clip the left wing as the hen is slightly heavier on that side and it helps to stop them taking off.

[jackian]

Thank you for your replies and help, I have a reprieve for a while at least, with time to learn more about it.

The people on here are so helpful and full of knowledge ,I could not have got so much of advice from a book I'm sure.

[johnandkymberley]

Yes i agree with dogmother the left side is what i cut, the only caution you have to take is to make sure you know where the blood vessels are in the wing, then cut around 1-2inch below that at bout 6-7 feathers in, one youve done it you will know how to do it everytime. Also i try and get my straight so theres not one feather longer etc xxxx

[Egluntyne]

You shouldn't be going anywhere near an area with blood vessels. Just stick to the primary feathers. There are several youtube videos demonstrating how to do it.

[Chucky Mama]

I'd keep them clipped until the hen is about 6 months old, then the should know to stay at home.

I agree, I have only ever clipped mine once. After a short while they learn where home is and don't bother to try and go further afield (apart from the kitchen every time the back door is left open - to poo it would appear ) You shouldn't be anywhere near cutting blood vessels if she are doing it properly.

[The Dogmother]

Try these photos, it's not difficult at all, just cut the primary flight feathers across with some sharp scissors, just like cutting toenails.