We clip all our Super Harko chickens like you with a complete trim of the primary feathers (our Orpingtons rarely need doing) but for our ducks and geese we do a partial trim leaving the last two primaries intact just for aesthetics. I must admit to being extremely nervous the first time we attempted it. Useful video, takes the fear factor away from the process.
Thanks Linda, once you know how it is pretty straightforward. Except for the Exchequer Leghorns. It doesn't hurt them but it seems to freak them out for some reason?
Thank you so much for showing how easily and painlessly wings can be clipped. I think sometimes this subject is very controversial. I've read many comments about how clipping wings is inhumane and is mistreating the chicken. I'd ask those people which is more inhumane...clipping a few feathers that don't hurt them at all or allowing them to be victims of a predator. You've made this process a lot less scary for the average backyard chicken person.
I've had to clip the wings of my lighter breeds to keep them from flying over the 5 ft fence. I usually only clip one wing which keeps them off balance.
I was always afraid to cut my girls' wings but now that I know I won't bleed them out by doing it, I will! Also, I didn't know they could maneuver when both sides of wing feathers are cut - those little sky devils! Do you compost the feather trimmings?
Hi Barbs, Very uncommon to be honest. Much more likely with very active breeds like Legbars. Unless ours show really active signs and get out at least once, we don't clip Orpingtons
@@EnglishCountryLife Have you ever kept any other poultry besides the chooks? Chickens are still the best in my opinion, but turkeys are friendly and geese have pretty funny (ducks and quail are a waste though).
It's very difficult. Some people put in eggs made of plaster so that they get used to pecking at eggs that won't open, others try eggs filled with mustard that tastes unpleasant to chickens. Removing eggs promptly can help. The best bet is to find out which hen is doing it by isolating each hen in turn. That hen should then be kept separately in case she encourages other hens to peck eggs.
Lovely video. I used to have Buffs and I miss them so much. Yours are beautiful. ☺
Thank you! 😊
We clip all our Super Harko chickens like you with a complete trim of the primary feathers (our Orpingtons rarely need doing) but for our ducks and geese we do a partial trim leaving the last two primaries intact just for aesthetics. I must admit to being extremely nervous the first time we attempted it. Useful video, takes the fear factor away from the process.
Thanks Trev. Like you, we rarely trim Orpingtons although this young lad is a bit keen 😁
Thanks for your excellent content! Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much - Happy Holidays
Your wonderful explanation and demonstration made it look so easy and less scary!
Thanks Linda, once you know how it is pretty straightforward. Except for the Exchequer Leghorns. It doesn't hurt them but it seems to freak them out for some reason?
Thank you so much for showing how easily and painlessly wings can be clipped. I think sometimes this subject is very controversial. I've read many comments about how clipping wings is inhumane and is mistreating the chicken. I'd ask those people which is more inhumane...clipping a few feathers that don't hurt them at all or allowing them to be victims of a predator. You've made this process a lot less scary for the average backyard chicken person.
I'm so glad Darlene, thanks for commenting 😊
I've had to clip the wings of my lighter breeds to keep them from flying over the 5 ft fence. I usually only clip one wing which keeps them off balance.
That's definitely the way to go it
I was always afraid to cut my girls' wings but now that I know I won't bleed them out by doing it, I will! Also, I didn't know they could maneuver when both sides of wing feathers are cut - those little sky devils! Do you compost the feather trimmings?
We do indeed compost feathers - they rot down remarkably well!
Is it common for Buffs to fly over a fence and should I think about clipping the wings of mine?
Hi Barbs,
Very uncommon to be honest. Much more likely with very active breeds like Legbars. Unless ours show really active signs and get out at least once, we don't clip Orpingtons
Pretty useful for turkeys especially, they love perching on walls
Do they really?
@@EnglishCountryLife Unfortunately yes, one turkey also just left one day when they were free-ranging with nobody watching.
@@LeoTheYuty Oops 😬. I must confess we've not had turkeys
@@EnglishCountryLife Have you ever kept any other poultry besides the chooks? Chickens are still the best in my opinion, but turkeys are friendly and geese have pretty funny (ducks and quail are a waste though).
@@LeoTheYuty We haven't in any serious way. If we had more land it would be pigs, then ducks, then geese
How can I keep my hens from eating their eggs?
It's very difficult. Some people put in eggs made of plaster so that they get used to pecking at eggs that won't open, others try eggs filled with mustard that tastes unpleasant to chickens. Removing eggs promptly can help. The best bet is to find out which hen is doing it by isolating each hen in turn. That hen should then be kept separately in case she encourages other hens to peck eggs.
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😉