Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Jonsue on May 26, 2008, 12:59
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Can anyone let me know as to when I have to clip the wings of ducks and chickens?
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Do you need to clip them?
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I understood that if you don't clip them they can fly away?
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Not sure about ducks but chickens will fly over a fence depending on thier size and how high the fence is of course.
We have a 4ft fence around our garden and when we first got our girls their wings had been clipped but there wasn't a need to do that really as I learnt later on because they were all large fowl and would find it difficult to launch themselves from the ground and over the fence but you don't know these things at first you learn as you go along.
We do have a cream legbar who use to get onto the fence and wonder off to the neighbours so we had to clip her wing but she could still do it..........
She was very funny when she got up there because it looked like she was wearing stiletto heels and swinging her handbag we would call her and she would totter back home
:lol:
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I did my ducks as soon as the little monkies started running up & down the garden and jumping :lol:
Basically when the flight feathers are grown :)
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Most breeds of domesticated ducks, can't fly to save their lives. I've never had to clip the wings of any of my ducks. Muscovey females are one of the exceptions.
From experience, Runners, Campbells, Aylseburys and all the heavy breeds can hardly get off the ground.
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I have a couple of bantams that fly very well. I used to clip their wings each year, but think it makes them look aweful! They fly up onto the henhouse and one flew out from the ground, following the peacock once but she was quite surprised to find herself somewhere strange...I just opened the gate and she wandered back in and has never one it again since!
Whilst I hope they don't catch me out, I prefer to leave them intact! If you do clip, only do one wing as it unbalances them.
Good luck!
Judi :wink:
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I asked about this when we got our girls, as wasn't 100% sure we wanted to net over the run, but hubby didn't like the idea of clipping the wings. I know now that it doesn't hurt, but we have left them intact. :)
after they're homed well i've been told they'll come home, but we have houses on either side of us and can't take the chance! lol
To clip i've been told one wing also and the first 4 feathers. :) not actually done it though so don't hold me to that though! :lol: