Clipping Wings

Pullets are young hens that are less than a year old.  Every year we hatch out and/or order some pullets to replace those in our existing flock that perished during the year.  We do lose a few hens each year from predation and a few simply to old age every year and in order to keep the level of egg production steady, we keep rotating existing hens into the flock.

Our process isn't a perfect one and others might have a better way, but the method we have found that works best with us is as follows.  Once the chicks reach about four weeks old, we move them from the brooder into the chicken tractor out on the pasture.  We keep giving them chick starter and fresh water and push them to fresh grass each day.  The chicken tractor they are in has no bottom, so the birds are able to forage for grass, bugs, seeds, etc.  They poop, fertilizing the grass and each day as we push the tractor, we are effectively broadcasting fertilizer that will cause the grass to grow green and lush for the cows.

The chicken tractor has nesting boxes in it and once the birds get around 24 weeks old and we can see their bottoms getting 'fluffy,' we know that they will lay their first eggs.  Once we find eggs in the nesting boxes, we set them completely free to free range over their 3 acre pasture.

The pullet chicken tractor

Last week we found one egg.  The next day we found two and the next day six.  Yes, it is time to give these young ladies freedom!

Ready for Freedom

But as they say, freedom isn't free.  It is going to cost them something.  In this case, the feathers on one wing.  You see, although chickens can't really fly too much, they can fly over the four foot high perimeter fence and we can't have that.  There is the garden to think about.  They'd pick it clean. There's also danger outside of the fence like dogs or other varmints that would like nothing better than a chicken dinner.  

So in order to discourage flight, I clip their wings real short on one wing.  I use tin-snips to clip the wings.  They work good on metal and equally well on feathers. Also, originally I was clipping both wings, but someone (wise) told me that this was a waste of time and effort.  By clipping one wing, it makes the chicken off balance and they can't fly.  See, I would have never thought of that.  I would have continued clipping both wings, but this saves me a lot of time and effort.  I like learning things - even simple things that allow you to work smarter and not harder.

Getting her wings clipped

I simply clip back the wing feathers almost to the wing itself.  The birds will go absolutely crazy, causing a big ruckus with lots of noise and drama, but it doesn't hurt them at all.  I climb into the tractor with the clippers and as I get one clipped, Benjamin opens the door, counts the number of birds one by one, and I gently toss the hen out for her first taste of freedom.

A pile of feathers

Amazingly, the birds will end up eating all their feathers.  The feathers are high in protein and probably good for them, but it is sort of weird, though.  I held up one of the birds so you can see the clipped wing.  Now they will eventually grow back, but it takes a good while and we'll just do the whole process all over again.

Clipped wings

We leave the door to their chicken tractor open for two reasons.  First, they are creatures of habit and they'll return to the roost in the tractor each night.  This means they'll be safe from owls and other nocturnal predators.  Secondly, they'll return to lay eggs in the chicken tractor and this keeps us from having to hunt for their eggs around the pasture each day.

Ahhhh... Freedom.  Ain't it great?!