Tips On Raising Chickens: Guide To Clipping Chickens Wings
Although divided opinion exists over clipping a chickens wings it is non the less painless. True the majority of chickens cannot fly very high or for that matter long distances but clipping chickens wings is quite common and serves a purpose.
One of the basic advantages of clipping is if you are keeping free range chickens. By clipping your chickens wings you take away the worry they will go flying around and say "Bon Voyage!" If you want to keep your chickens inside their pen to lay those eggs, taking certain measures to keeping them safe and close is a necessity.
Get organised - Procedure:
a. The perfect candidate for wing clipping is the chicken that has her wings growing very prominently. Usually these are the chickens you see who fly proudly above other birds. To catch your chicken first try and be confident whilst bringing both of your hands down over her back holding the wings down over her body. This will prevent her from flapping. Now lift your chicken off the ground whilst supporting her from underneath with your hand and hold her steady against your body. Even if she struggles a bit it shouldn't be long before she settles down and let's you hold her quite happily. The first time you pick her up try to do it when she is calm and not fluttering around because of your presence.
b. For those who are unsure with the idea of clipping chickens wings please don‘t worry or feel bad. In fact it's only really necessary to clip one wing. This will unbalance the chicken enough to prevent it from flying off or over any low barriers. If you have bought your chickens they may have even done this for you.
c. Never do this unless you feel confident you know what you are doing. Ask a friend to help you hold your chicken while you do the painless procedure if it will help. Simply trim the long primary flight feathers on the edge of the wing. With your scissors cut the first 6 or 7 feathers back to the point where the next line of feathers starts.
d. Don't forget to clip your chickens wings after she has finished moulting and re-grown her feathers. She will be able to fly off once they have grown again.
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