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

[spott]

Hi all,

My girls are now 10 weeks old and i am eager to let them (supervised) free range in the garden. I have 6ft fences all around, but have heard that young pullets can be quit flighty, so i would like clip their wings. When are they old enough for this ? After two weeks they now come to the front of the run when i call and peck scratch out of my hand, so i think they are ready for the garden.

 

Thanks in advance

[Beantree]

We don't wing clip unless absolutely necessary Spott, because it removes their primary defence and leaves them vulnerable, especially at such a young age. They won't fly unless they feel the need to. If they get bored, bullied or run out of grass and can see some they will fly to get it. Just one wing cut all the primary (the ones on the wing end) feathers half way only as they are full of blood further down.

[Cat tails]

I did clip the wings of mine when they were about 12 weeks old. I have small bantams and at that age they made some serious air time!

I have loads of cats in the neighbourhood, so they did get spooked occasionally. I didn't want to pluck the chicks from the neighbours garden.

You can leave the first 2 or three feathers intact and cut the following four or five. You might want an extra pair of hands. Holding a chicken in one hand, with the wing outstretched and a pair of scissors in the other... They seem to grow extra limbs...

[jimnpaula]

http://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/clipping-chicken-wings.html

Something that might be interesting. Video further down the page.

[Cat tails]

Certainly very interesting.

 

Personally I'm not convinced that clipping both wings actually works, but then again, my chickens aren't that flighty (anymore). Also she cuts them much shorter then I do mine. I prefer leaving the first two or three feathers intact. (Her feathers 8, 9 and 10) Their wings look a bit more natural that way.

[spott]

It is an interesting video!

 

Again, much shorter than i am used to clipping mine. I was shown how to do it by the omlet man who delivered my first chickens, lol, an age ago.

 

She says to clip them when they finish growing, so i have to wait until they start to lay,? Or can i do it now, provided the shafts are white?

[Cat tails]

I did it when they were still little. Like I said, they were rather active and flighty.