Some hens are able to fly just enough to get over the backyard fence. Leghorns and bantams are known flyers. Some other chickens never even try it. If flying is a problem, it’s OK to clip one or both wings. Hold the chicken, extend its wing, and cut the wingtip with scissors. Clipping about half the length of a feather should do it. Let the chickens keep all their feathers going into winter, though; they need the extra warmth.

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