[Rosemary]

I was asked about this on Saturday and couldn't answer as we don't clip wings - I want mine to be able to escape!

I've seen ours get on a 6ft fence from the ground. What height can a wing-clipped hen get up to?

Thanks

[Tullywood Farm]

Hiya Rosemary,

We clip wings.  We only clip one wing, usually the left one, about halfway down the wing when it is outstretched.

It doesn't hurt the hen, it is like us having a haircut.  But it does stop them from getting out of our pen, which is only post and rail fencing, around 4ft 5 high with weldmesh on the outside.

The reason we clip them is for their safety from the road, children and dogs.

Usually they do not get out at all.  Some Cocky Cocks (boys are always trouble) sometimes get on the top of the fence and fly from pen to pen, but do not get any higher than this.

To keep them in, you have to trim the feathers again after the moult and new feathers.

We have some pens like the one with Guinea Fowl, that have a roof to stop them roosting in nearby forestry, as we do not want to lose them!

Other animals, such as ducks, are often pinnioned as chicks, so cannot fly.  Our Geese are flyers, and let loose around the farm, but as they are a wild variety they are very friendly and dont yap all the time.

Hope this might help - kind regards  Julie

[doganjo]

But it does stop them from getting out of our pen, which is only post and rail fencing, around 4ft 5 high with weldmesh on the outside.

I'm afraid I have to disagree - it didn't stop Kamikaze jumping 5 feet into the jaws of Hester my GWP.  Mind you even having full wings might not have saved her as the ex batt did exactly the same and I hadn't clipped their wings

[Tullywood Farm]

Hi,
As I said it stops ours But can't Guarantee it for anyone Else's.
J