[downtoearth]

Hello, I have 2 black rock and 2 brown lohans they are great  and pretty reliable layers.  I got them last spring and have really enjoyed their company!  Up until now I have let them have the run of the bottom section of my garden.  As they are destroying most things there I feel I should move them to another bit ofthe garden.  I tried this but they keep escaping back to the area they started in.  I dont really want to clip their wings but feel this is probably the only way to keep them in, they have plenty of space its not that they dont.  I'm not to sure about clipping them - is anyone able to advise please? 

[darkbrowneggs]

Its easy to do and painless for them, rather like cutting our hair. 
 
It does work better if done before they have learnt to fly, but its always worth a try. 
 
Remember only clip one wing per bird.  The idea is that you are unbalancing the wing flights. 
 
Then with a pair of nice strong scissors or secateurs just snip the flight feathers so they are about level or a bit longer that the small covering feathers on the wings. 
 
If you dont understand just think which are the longest strongest feathers on the wings and those are the flights and those are the ones you need to be reducing in length.  And if you still don;'t understand then post again 

[downtoearth]

Yes I think I've got that!  Thanks very much for your input.  Do most people clip? Also do you just have to do it the once or do they regrow, like hair?!!!! Sue..

[in the hills]

They will re grow after their moult.


I don't clip now .... think it's useful if they can at least attempt an escape from predators but had to when I had a normal garden and neighbours !!!! I liked them free ranging my patch but think neighbours might not have been so keen.    They could still fly a bit but not too high and didn't seem bothered by it.

[Mammyshaz]

With only having allotments outside the house which most neighbours have lawned and use as gardens, my chooks have their wings clipped to stop them hopping over to chook hating neighbours 
They can still jump into the old apple tree and on low fencing but not over the main fence ( as yet    )

There are a couple of good YouTube videos of which feathers to clip as I found out when I first did it and was very confused by book pictures as to which way up and what end  the hens were at   

[downtoearth]

Thanks All, I was like you - in the hills - as really feel they are better being able to escape!  but they fly at least 10ft high so can escape even over the herris fence!  Shall get to it when weather improves!

[doganjo]

They will re grow after their moult.


I don't clip now .... think it's useful if they can at least attempt an escape from predators but had to when I had a normal garden and neighbours !!!! I liked them free ranging my patch but think neighbours might not have been so keen.    They could still fly a bit but not too high and didn't seem bothered by it.

Mine weren't clipped. and the ducks could fly quite well - didn't stop the fox getting the lot.

[chrismahon]

Clip the primary flight feathers on one wing about half way Livingthedream. The primaries are the ones on the outermost section of the wing. Cut them too short and they will bleed. When they are cut they don't shed as well in the moult so may not grow back the next moult. Does make them look rather untidy and more vulnerable to predator attack. We rarely clip wings unless one bird is a big problem. We had two Leghorn Bantams that could clear a 5' fence so they had to be done for their own safety we thought. Expected the large hens would eat them alive but it turned out they were so manoeuvrable the big hens couldn't catch them. The little things used to dart in between them stealing their treats. We didn't clip them again.