Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• Rubber gloves to protect your hands
• A first aid kit (just in case of injury)
• Treats for when the task is complete
1. First, decide who will clip the wings and who will hold the bird.
2.Gatheryourchicken.Becalm.Ifyoucannotgetholdofthechicken,itisnotadvisable
to chase it around. This stresses the chicken. Try again at another time or try to gather
another bird.
3. Hold the chicken by the legs. Support its body by keeping your hand underneath its
body. Your palm should be open and flat. Leave either the left or right wing free.
4. Talk to it in soothing tones.
5. Spread the wing. Display it in its entirety.
6. The first 10 feathers from the outside of the wing are flight feathers; these flight feath-
ersareusuallylongerthantherestandoftenadifferentcolor.Cutjustbeyondtheedge
of the nest layer up. This is approximately 3 to 5 inches.
7. Quickly clip the bird's wings. Use very sharp scissors. Dull blades may hurt the bird.
8. Give your bird a treat.
Chickens molt annually, so you will need to clip your chickens' wings each year with its new
growth of feathers.
Breeding Chickens
Whether you already have some chickens or you are a novice chicken owner, breeding chick-
ens can be a great way to enhance your experience. Breeding provides you with an opportun-
ity to create the type of bird you want. These birds are designed for your purposes and to fit
into your needs. Whether you are doing it for a hobby, for food, or for money, you will be able
to achieve your goals with time, patience, and knowledge. Breeding chickens is not recom-
mended for city dwellers unless you have enough space to accommodate your birds. If you
end up with a large quantity of birds while you are breeding, you may find yourself with a
lack of space. However, if you do have room for your coop and run, as well as an area for
your incubator and chicks, you can breed chickens successfully in your urban home.
Consider what breeding a flock of chickens entails before you begin your new endeavor. This
process has many components, though the rewards are worth it. Once you have the physical
materials you need, it is time to get started on your plan of action. You must have a clear idea
