Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: MontyTom on November 27, 2006, 21:03

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: MontyTom on November 27, 2006, 21:03

Hello all.  Can anyone give me any advice on how to clip chicken wing feathers please, i.e. tools to use, how many feathers to cut, etc.? I had birds in garden today and they were getting a bit flighty so need to minimise their escape range.

Thanks

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: kizza on November 27, 2006, 21:10

Use a pair of large, sharp scissors and cut the last 10 flight feathers off, on just one wing

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: MontyTom on November 27, 2006, 21:41

Cheers, Kizza.  How far down should I cut them?

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: kizza on November 27, 2006, 22:21

well u just want to cut the flight feathers only as the under-feathers are half way up so just to the start of the under feathers.

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: muntjac on November 27, 2006, 22:22

take them down to 2 inches from the wing and do both sides in my book .hold bird on your lap and cut from the inside out to tip using fingers as a guide ,you cut your fingers first afore the birds wing .. you say ouch you know u to close   :wink: talk to bird calmly and it will settle

Title: Clipping wings
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 27, 2006, 22:54

It's really easy.  I can do it  :lol:

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/Lesley-Jean/Wingclip.jpg)

I do only one wing - makes them unbalanced and unable to sustain flight.

I cut them a little shorter than in this picture.  You can see where the veins stop in the quill. DON'T cut into these.

Only cut the first 8-10 feathers, you will be able to see where the natural break is.  It is importaint to leave the rest for insulation for them at night and in the cold weather.  

Make sure to do it again after their new flight feathers have regrown after a moult.

Title: Ta
Post by: MontyTom on November 28, 2006, 21:32

Thanks for good advice everyone.  I will buy a book when I get paid this month, honest!