The Poultry Keeper

turk · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

help, i have just purchased 10 rhodie island 4 week old chicks. my query is when should i clip their wings. help would be much appreciated.

nigel · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:42 am Post subject:

I'd wait till they have their full adult plumage or you'll have to repeat the exercise.

Just clip one wing of each bird once they reach POL.

mojo · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:18 am Post subject:

as nigel rightly says waitt ill full plumage then clip the same side on each bird then next time you have to do it change sides then no one is missed....p.s.make sure the clippers are strong and sharp .....i use kitchen scissors kept just for the job

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I never clipped the wings of any of my girls and only one ever went over the fence, by climbing up an old shed we were demolishing. They were free ranging all day and quite content to stay on the floor or on the top of their run.

Always remember, that if you clip a wing then they can't escape from a predator as easily

mojo · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

thats why only one is clipped to give them a chance to flutter about and attract help

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject:

I don't think I've clipped a wing in my life. Why bother? MAke your run secure and there isn't any need to be clipping wings.

NannyP · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject:

I don't clip wings, and mine free range all day, no one has escaped yet, and they have plenty of places to do that.
You've got plenty of time to make a decision, since they're still very young.
Very Happy

Knobby · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:47 am Post subject:

I got my neighbour to clip the wings of my first 4 chooks, but now I dont bother.......I just seem to have fat Orps now that couldnt fly even if they wanted too ! Oh, and a 6ft fence !

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 383 Location: Lincolnshire

I started to clip one wing each after I was met by the very funny sight of five of my girls perched along the roof of my greenhouse (wish I'd taken a photo) They were eyeing up my neighbours very tidy and beautiful garden ......all I can say is that my life flashed before me and I ran for the scissors pale

andym01480 · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn

My Rhode Island has no interest in flying up to the fence - having too much fun traskhing what is left of the lawn!