Wing clipping pros and cons?

[NaturalChick]

What are the pros and cons to clipping wings? I had some hens with their wings already clipped. It kept them from flying over fences but they didn't look as nice. Dose it affect them it they are clipped?

 

[lurky]

Maybe they used dull shears to clip the wings. I clipped my birds last year and it did not look bad. It sure helped keep them in their area. I just suggest reading up on doing it properly. you cant cut too short.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
You mean does it hurt them? Not if done properly.
It keeps them from flying over fences and other boundaries and thus getting into trouble. The only time I think it is a detriment is when they are allowed to roam at will, where there are no predator controls. Then they need to fly to escape danger.
But, since I don't advocate chickens being allowed to roam at will, in general, it becomes sort of a moot point, eh?...

As to whether it scars their psyches to be clipped and makes them into antisocial chickens, well, thats anybody's guess.

 

[valmom]

We just clipped all of ours. When we got them last year (as adults) they were clipped, and we let the feathers grow back in.

Unfortunately, as we are trying to keep them in the coop and away from the fox, they have discovered how to fly over the 8 foot fence. (they really liked being free range birds. Not anymore)

The feathers you cut aren't really visible because they fold under the wing when they are just walking around. (unless we did it wrong...)

 

[NaturalChick]

To Valmom: I think it was the people who previously owned and clipped our chickens wings that clipped off too many. Sounds like you are doing it right, unless they can still fly over the fence! LOL