When I first heard about clipped wings my brain went to removing a birds wings. I almost wrote it off as a viable practice until I read about it in Storey’s guide to ducks.
For further recommended reading references I am starting to write a homesteading book reference review post! Stay tuned.
Turns out clipping wings is just trimming the primary flight feathers. This can be on one wing or both. I have found with only one wing clipped a muscovy duck can still get decent air albeit in a circular pattern.
Pictured below is the cut line we follow on a muscovy duck.
Chickens are very similar though we have since stopped clipping their wings. Our lighter chickens were still able to get on top of their run which was taller than the fence with clipped wings. The whole practice seemed pointless.
I have also clipped some of the turkey wings when they are younger and lighter. Our geese are too heavy to fly and I have not had any of the non muscovy ducks try to fly!
Now we clip the muscovy ducks about once or twice a year to mainly keep them on our 3 acres and off our neighbors roofs. The drakes can be clipped but generally are too heavy to fly far. If their flock of ducks is staying in the run they likely will too.
Best practice is to wear long sleeves and possibly gloves. The claws on all poultry can scratch and cut. Two people are preferred for ease of work! If working alone, try holding the leg and wing as below.
Wait till the feathers are fully developed. If you cut too early the quill may still be full of blood and start bleeding. I have done this once and stopped it using corn starch!
Currently I have many wings to be clipped but allowing the muscovy ducks to fly and forage has some benefits. We are still playing with this balance. If you are interested in more about the muscovy duck breed check out our post here!