I keep my 4 chickens in the backyard with 6 ft fences. I let them out of the coop to play in the grass in the evenings surrounded by a 3ft tall electric poultry net. My blue andalusian is a flier, and every once in a while I will go outside to find her exploring on her own outside the net with her coop mates pacing on the inside for news. She isn't too much trouble to catch, but my boyfriend is very concerned that she will eventually hop the 6ft fence and end up in the street. He wants me to clip her wings.
I've read about how that should be done in the Storey guide, but I admit that I rather enjoy watching her fly in circles around the coop while her friends chase after her. Should I be worried? I've read that Blue Andalusians can fly up to 6ft. Also, any advice on wing clipping? Is it as easy as it sounds?
Thanks so much everyone, Myrrh
Chicken gone AWOL - to clip or not to clip....help please
Wing clipping is a piece of cake if you can catch them. It's best done with two people, one to hold, one to cut. I'm not sure it would make much of a diffrence with that height of fence. All they need to do is hop and flap. The six foot would be tough for them though. How about a cement block tied to one leg? (I'm KIDDING)
Cement block sounds pretty good actually ;)
So you are saying that with wings cliped she could still probably make it over the three foot fence but not the 6 footer? Or that 6 foot would be difficult for her even without wings clipped? Just want to make sure I understand.
Thanks so much, Myrrh
It would slow her down, but she could probably make it over the three foot. The six, probably not. Mine were still making a five foot jump with wings clipped (till they got to fat), but they jump to the top of the fence and then hop down.
We were told to clip only one wing as it makes them off-balance. Our fence is 6ft plus 1ft of loose chicken wire at the top. It does keep them in.
GG
Clipping wing feathers may even cause the Andalusian to not even try to fly over the fence again. It could get conditioned to believe it can't fly ... so it might never try again ... even after the wing feathers grow back. Most of the breeds from the Iberian Peninsula are skinny long legged fliers. We've had several ... just loved our Silver Spangled Spitzhaubens. My Hamburgs flew like ring neck pheasants. Dual purpose breeds are significantly less prone to fly over fences and the meat birds like CornishX .... can hardly walk ... let alone fly. LOL Best wishes. ... clip away if you like.
Kelly in Moxee
Thanks so much everyone. I will snip away.
myrrh when clipping any bird's feathers look out for blood feathers. They're newer ones with the vein still delivering blood to the whole feather. Hold the wing up with a light source behind it and you'll be able to see the darker blood in the middle of those feathers. Don't cut those! Hurts the bird, bleeds like crazy and you'll feel bad you did it. On most bird if you cut the flight feathers (longer ones) it can stop or slow down their flying. Some like to do one side, others prefer both. Here's a good link: http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1791678
MollyD
I'm just relieved it is not Schnitzel!:0)
Thanks so much, I will definately do that next time I have access to 3 hands (mine plus one extra). It sounds like something I could do by myself, but I in case there is trouble I imagine I will be greatfull for those extra five fingers.
Schnitzel is definately not the culprit. She does enjoy her flying exercise, but it is of the 3 inches above the ground variety. Soup is the troublemaker of the day.
Myrrh