Clipping Wings

[Munch]

Hi Grapes.

Small issue which makes me pose a question.

We have just put up 4 foot something fences to contain our girls, thinking it would be high enough.

We clipped their wings last year, but I am now guessing they need to be done again as I have just watched most of the little blighters just on to the fence and off again with no effort.

So my question..... will clipping their wings be enough or does the fence need to be even higher?

[Snadger]

I have mine 6 foot high and fully enclosed with a mesh roof as well. Chooks wouldn't last 2 minutes around here with the fox population we have, if I opted for anything else!

[RichmondHens]

If they have moulted since you last clipped them then they will certainly need to be clipped again. Just the first six flight feathers on one wing only. Should be enough to keep them in unless they are very small and light.

[chris]

If it helps... I went outside with a cuppa and an omelete and my light sussex (clipped 1 wing) flew up and landed on my head, knocked omelete out of my hand, and ate half of it before I realised what happened.

Put my cup of tea down to pick the plate up, and by the time I had the plate, they'd (3 chickens) eaten my omelete and two were drinking my bloody cup of tea!

:/

I'm building a 6' high roofed run now, one of mine has been perched on my 6' perimeter fence before now.. they can jump suprisignly high before flapping to gain extra height too!

[chris]

If they have moulted since you last clipped them then they will certainly need to be clipped again. Just the first six flight feathers on one wing only. Should be enough to keep them in unless they are very small and light.

Ah :P

I left the first 3 primary feathers (as I used to when keeping cockatoos - preserves the look of the wing when tucked in), which probably explains how she's getting the extra lift!

[Munch]

If it helps... I went outside with a cuppa and an omelete and my light sussex (clipped 1 wing) flew up and landed on my head, knocked omelete out of my hand, and ate half of it before I realised what happened.

Put my cup of tea down to pick the plate up, and by the time I had the plate, they'd (3 chickens) eaten my omelete and two were drinking my bloody cup of tea!

:/

I'm building a 6' high roofed run now, one of mine has been perched on my 6' perimeter fence before now.. they can jump suprisignly high before flapping to gain extra height too!

Oh carp

We had a 8' x 8' x 8' enclosure but it is not big enough now, plus we need to create 2 different ares for the table birds we hope to rear this year.

We created a 6' fence down one side using canes attached to the original wire fence and pea netting thats done the trick and only cost a fiver for 6 metres

Look like we will be doing more of that!

We dont (touch wood) have much of a problem with foxes, the girls have been free ranging on and off for nearly 3 years and no touble at all.

[chris]

My LS has lost a lot of weight recently mind - from being broody I assume.. which may have helped her get up !

[Hilary B]

If the top of the fence isn't welcoming to perch on (on the way over) that is a deterrent. It may or may not be enough, depending on breed and total height.

[frias]

If it helps... I went outside with a cuppa and an omelete and my light sussex (clipped 1 wing) flew up and landed on my head, knocked omelete out of my hand, and ate half of it before I realised what happened.

Put my cup of tea down to pick the plate up, and by the time I had the plate, they'd (3 chickens) eaten my omelete and two were drinking my bloody cup of tea!

:/

I'm building a 6' high roofed run now, one of mine has been perched on my 6' perimeter fence before now.. they can jump suprisignly high before flapping to gain extra height too!

He he he : can't stop laughing, now where did I put those Tena lady.

[Flummery]

Our farmer friend puts a wire up above the fence - only by about 3". They can't seem to get a bead on it and know they can't perch on it so it keeps his inside.

[pauco]

If it helps... I went outside with a cuppa and an omelete and my light sussex (clipped 1 wing) flew up and landed on my head, knocked omelete out of my hand, and ate half of it before I realised what happened.

Put my cup of tea down to pick the plate up, and by the time I had the plate, they'd (3 chickens) eaten my omelete and two were drinking my bloody cup of tea!

:/

I'm building a 6' high roofed run now, one of mine has been perched on my 6' perimeter fence before now.. they can jump suprisignly high before flapping to gain extra height too!

Oi, you now owe me for a new key-board, just had a mouthful of tea

That was funny, teach you to eat out

paul.

[chris]

I think it was revenge for my 'broody treatment'. We're equal now. She popped an egg out for me today, first time since the broodyness kicked in, so we're mates again

[country chic]

[QUOTE=chrismarks;813203]If it helps... I went outside with a cuppa and an omelete and my light sussex (clipped 1 wing) flew up and landed on my head, knocked omelete out of my hand, and ate half of it before I realised what happened.

Put my cup of tea down to pick the plate up, and by the time I had the plate, they'd (3 chickens) eaten my omelete and two were drinking my bloody cup of tea!

:/

Ha ha thats so funny.....: )

[petal]

if you want chickens that can't fly at all - get brahmas!!!!!!!

[RichmondHens]

if you want chickens that can't fly at all - get brahmas!!!!!!!

Or anything big and heavy really! My Buff Orps can fly a little, they get excited when they see the corn pot approaching and fly along the grass about a foot off the ground but can't get any higher than that. They are like low flying fluffy helicopters.