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36 Comments

Clipping Chicken Wings (Flight Feathers)

I discovered rather suddenly that it’s sometimes necessary to trim a chicken’s wings so they can’t fly. We’d had Golden Buff hens for awhile when I decided to introduce a Barred Rock rooster, and because the hens never flew out of their pen, I was shocked when the rooster flew out (why a rooster would fly away from hens is explained in Introducing New Chickens). I had to clip his feathers to keep him in, and found out it’s a harmless and simple procedure.

Why (Not) to Clip Feathers

I think it’s best to leave the chicken’s wings alone unless there’s a problem, such as getting out of the pen, or flying into the neighbor’s garden. That’s because flying is the bird’s only defense. It can attempt to fly away from a predator, and depriving it of this ability is a health hazard. There’s also the possibility of hurting the bird while trimming the wings. So, consider clipping only after you’ve exhausted all other options. In my case, after the rooster molts, I won’t clip his feathers again, and the Golden Buffs have never been clipped.

When to Clip

If you decide it has to be done, then it’s important to wait until the bird can fly pretty well (I know, that’s why you want to clip in the first place).  Brief flights develop young bird’s muscles, coordination, and balance; so it’s best to wait until a bird can fly short distances. If you want to maintain the clipped wings, then it needs to be done annually, after the bird molts and the new feathers have grown back.   

What to Clip

Some guides recommend clipping only one wing thereby leaving the bird unbalanced and unable to fly straight. This seems harsh to me, and I clip both wings so the chicken can’t fly but is still balanced. What you really do when “clipping the wings” is trim about a third off the tips of the primary flight feathers. To help identify the primary flight feathers, I should have taken pictures before and after trimming our rooster, but I didn’t think that far. So here is a picture of a hen with her primary flight feathers intact:

The long flight feathers on the trailing edge of the wing are what’s trimmed. You remove more length from the longer feathers at the tip of the wing and less where the wing attaches to the body, but you do trim the entire edge of feathers. Cut these to just under the next layer of feathers on the wing. This prevents the cut edges of the flight feathers from irritating the bird’s skin. The trimming can be done in stages or one cut.

How to Clip

To clip the feathers, you need a sturdy pair of scissors or sheers with rounded tips (you don’t want to accidentally puncture something). Also, I wouldn’t do this without help. You need one person to hold the chicken, while the other person extends the bird’s wing and trims. Just extend the wing out fully from the bird, and trim that first row of feathers. It’s better to take too little than too much, and you should never be cutting a feather shaft that has blood in it (it will appear pinkish).   

Here’s a picture of a hen with her primary flight feathers trimmed:

That’s it for clipping a chicken’s wings, your chicken is now grounded!

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Filed Under: Chicken Posts Needing Updates

About Lesa

Lesa raised Nigerian Dwarf goats, Buckeye chickens, honey bees, and produce on her small farm in northeastern Ohio. Since 2010, Lesa's writing has inspired new homesteaders on their journey to more sustainable lifestyles via this website.

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Comments

  1. Austin says

    October 12, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    Someone told me clipping both sides defeats the purpose. I disagree because both sets of primaries are less than half there original size. We clipped our leghorn’s wing but she still got out into the garage because she had to lay an egg! We found out she laid one in the garage before. Should I clip her other wing?

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      October 12, 2013 at 10:22 pm

      Austin, I have always clipped both wings, not just one, and it has worked very well for us. If she is still able to fly well enough to get out with just one wing clipped, and you don’t want this, then IMO it seems that clipping the other wing would be the thing to do. With both wings clipped, perhaps she won’t be able to fly well enough to get out.

      Reply
  2. Cinny says

    May 19, 2013 at 11:39 am

    I understand your reservations, but I had to clip mine because they kept getting out. We are in kind of a protected area though, surrounded on all 4 sides with fence and other houses…..don’t have coyotes or other preditors here, too many people. It worked great and they don’t seem to miind. They get out to free range supervised when I choose now.

    Reply
    • mary Mannion says

      August 17, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      We purchased nets that are for fruit tree protection and completely covered the large run with these to stop our birds flying out.They were only $5.95 each and we cable tied them onto the the top of the 4 fences as a complete cover for the run. Working well and keeping the bush turkeys out as well.I am in Brisbane QLD so not a lot of predators and my girls often free range in the entire garden but mostly in the large run and protected.

      Reply
  3. Ruchir says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:23 am

    Hi,
    I am from India and I have three Aseel hens. I had one for year and recently got two more. The old ones’ feathers are clipped. I did it because I was afraid it would fly away and get killed by street dogs or something.
    But after laying eggs and chicks a couple of time, she doesn’t go anywhere.
    Is it possible for her to grow then new feathers so she can at least protect itself from cats and other things if she is in danger? how to make the clipped feathers grow back? I dont think she has molted in a year… Please someone guide me.

    Reply
    • Ted says

      March 19, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Hello Ruchir, flight feathers grow back as long as they were clipped properly, that is, not clipped too short by cutting into the vascular part of the feather shafts.
      She will eventually molt; 12 to 18 months is not too long for a young, healthy hen that has been laying for the duration. I have read that it’s best for future egg production if hens molt just before the shorter, colder days of winter (unless you live near the equator, in which case I have no idea).
      Hens referred to as “late molters” lay eggs for 12 to 18 months before molting, and shed their feathers within 2 to 3 months. This gets them back into production more quickly. Early molters molt as early as a few months after they start laying, and shed feathers gradually over 4 to 6 months during which time they lay very few eggs or none.
      Because of these differences, according to Mississippi State University Extension Service, “Early molters are usually poor producers in a flock. Late-molting hens will produce longer before molting and will shed the feathers quicker (2 to 3 months). The advantage of late molters is that the loss of feathers and their replacement takes place at the same time. This enables the hen to return to full production sooner.”
      Again from what I’ve read, Aseels are late molters and lay a long time (18+ months) before their first molt. Afterward, it’s an annual occurrence.

      Reply
  4. Hooligans7 says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Lesa, I just read your post on introducing new chickens and it was exactly what I needed! Today I acquired a 1.5 year old BR rooster from my veterinarian. (He had a spare!) The rooster has been accustomed to free ranging (really free) and flying at will, and my three 3-month-old BR pullets are not. They “free range” within their large pen, and right now the new roo is in two connected dog kennels adjacent to the pullet pen. We have a lot of predators around here, so safety is a big concern. Here are my questions:
    1. Should I clip his wing right away, or wait a day?
    2. Can I put him in the coop with the pullets tonight, or wait a day?
    3. Do I need to be concerned about him eating chick starter (should he eat crushed corn separately)?

    By the way, the pullets seem very interested in the new roo and no one has gotten upset after two hours of looking at each other. Hope it stays that way!

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      July 31, 2012 at 8:35 pm

      Hi Hooligans, I would wait and observe his behavior before clipping his wings. When he gets put in with the girls he may not want to wander far from them, so if they’re not flying out, he may not fly out. As a rooster, he thinks one of his primary jobs is keeping them safe – so if he’s a good rooster, he shouldn’t go far and you may never need to clip his wings.

      I’ve not had any issues mixing roosters with pullets, I would just make sure that you can watch them for a good while after you put him in to make sure no issues develop.

      The roo’s generally eat what the pullets do anyway, the chick starter will be a higher protein feed than what the layers feed will be, but it shouldn’t hurt him for the month or so before they start laying.

      Good Luck, hoping they mix without any issues!

      Reply
      • Hooligans7 says

        July 31, 2012 at 9:34 pm

        Great info — thank you, Lesa! I will do precisely as you recommended. The roo isn’t very socialized with humans, so I wasn’t looking forward to clipping his wings, anyway. He’s pretty nervous around us right now. I hope he becomes more comfortable as he gets acquainted with his new digs and my young “girls.”

        Reply
  5. lisa says

    June 20, 2012 at 7:21 am

    HOW ABOUT PUTTING NEW CHICKENS IN TOGETHER I HAVE A LEGHORN AND RHODE ISLAND RED THAT ARE MY FIRST BIRDS AND THEY KNOW IT . I PUT 3 BLACK SEXLINKS IN WITH THEM AND THEY STILL KICK THERE BUTTS. I HAVE 3 MORE CHICKS THAT I’M WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BIGGER BEFORE I PUT THEM IN WITH THEM. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY YOU HAVE TO MIXED THEM TOGETHER WITHOUT ALL THE FIGHTING . I’M A REAL MOM AND HATE TO SEE THEM HURT . THANKS

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      June 21, 2012 at 11:35 am

      Hi, I did a post on introducing new birds, it’s located here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/01/18/introducing-new-chickens/ We’re going to be introducing some young chickens in with our older flock again too, and will basically be following that plan, but I want to try introducing them a little younger and see how it goes.

      Reply
  6. j says

    May 8, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I’m having problems with my light bodied leghorn hen. Although I’ve only trimmed on wing and have trimmed as much as I can without cutting into the shaft, the bird still hops the 4 foot fence. The rest of the flock are doing fine but I’m worried about the damage that she’s doing to our neighbors newly planted garden.
    What can I do?
    J.

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      May 10, 2012 at 10:12 am

      Well, if just clipping one side didn’t stop her, how about clipping the other side too? Maybe we’ll all learn whether clipping one or both sides is better at keeping them from flying………….. 🙂

      Reply
    • jamie says

      July 30, 2012 at 7:43 pm

      I just had to get rid of a leg horn chicken because even though her wings are clipped they are very good climbers. Mine would climb the fence like it was nothing!!

      Reply
      • Lesa says

        July 31, 2012 at 9:43 am

        That’s very interesting – we’ve never had any climbers!

        Reply
  7. rebecca peterson says

    April 26, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve read that you ONLY clip one side and this throws them off balance, keeping them from flying above the targeted fence. Clipping BOTH wings, they can still fly, just have to work at it harder. Off balance, and clipped, is the key~Just bought some Guinea, 90% grown, and will need to clip, due to residential location.

    Reply
  8. Babs says

    February 23, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    What causes chickens that have always laid brown eggs in the past to suddenly start laying white eggs? Age? They are Dominicks, and the eggs are large and good, just white now.

    Reply
  9. Nancy Jenkins says

    November 18, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    We clipped both wings on our flock recently, now we are told we should have only clipped one wing on each chicken. Which way is right? Our girls were flying over a four foot fence. Can you answer through my e-mail?
    thank you,
    Nancy J

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      November 18, 2011 at 7:28 pm

      Nancy – I’m not sure that there’s a “right” way – some swear by clipping both wings, and others by clipping only one wing. We’ve always clipped both wings and it’s worked well for our chickens. They’ve never flown over their fence (it’s also four feet) after being clipped. Clipping only one wing causes the chicken to be more unbalanced, but they apparently adjust just fine.

      Reply
  10. Sarah says

    October 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    All of my birds still got out. Does not work, worse now my birds are out with out being able to fly. Yes did exactly what the website said.

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      October 1, 2011 at 6:56 pm

      Sarah, the objective of clipping the birds wings is to prevent them from flying – so if they can’t fly now, it worked. Clipping their wings so they can’t fly well may not prevent them from getting out though – it all depends on what’s keeping them in.

      Reply
  11. David says

    August 19, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    I [believe I] have a Brabanter rooster and his crest has become quite long and is now drooping to one side. He’s begun to walk sideways since he can only see out of one eye and I was wondering if it would be safe to trim those feathers. He’s pretty calm while I hold him and loves when I massage his crest so I don’t think it’d be an issue but I’d like y’alls advice. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      August 20, 2011 at 1:09 pm

      It should be fine to trim his crest a bit so he can see, many folks with crested birds do it. The thing is just be very careful when doing it so no accidents happen with the scissors or cutting tool. Have someone hold his head so he can’t jerk suddenly, and maybe use scissors with blunt ends, etc. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the better sight!

      Reply
  12. Emily says

    May 12, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Thanks! We raise rabbits and recently purchased some rhode island reds and some black sexlinks and we are going to let them loose in the barn with the rabbits (which has a 18 x 36 ft area with 4 ft tall chainlink) so they can keep the bugs out and if they get ontop the cages the rabbits can get coccidia and die so we need to trim the flight feathers so they wont fly up there.

    Reply
  13. Brian says

    April 10, 2011 at 12:22 am

    New to this whole “chicken” thing. We got 6 chicks about 7 weeks ago. I’m just looking for information on WHEN I can trim their flight wings. I know you said “wait until they can fly short distances” but how short is short? They are struggling to get 2′ out of their flights but don’t want them getting out of the yard. I guess I can trim them now but will I have to do it again in the next month?

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      April 10, 2011 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Brian,

      If the chicks you have are only about 8 weeks old, then I would wait a lot longer before clipping their wings – I might start thinking about it at 16 or 18 weeks depending upon what breed they are. They need to develop their muscles as they grow, and as they get heavier, they are actually less able to make “high” flights than when they are small. What breed of birds are they, and what do you have that will be keeping them in the yard?

      Whatever you do, do not clip any feathers that still have blood in the shaft (the shafts should be clear not red)- I’ve never clipped wings of birds that young and they may still have blood in the shafts at that age. If you clip a shaft that still has blood in it, the bird could bleed to death unless you stop the bleeding from that shaft.

      Bottom line, if those chicks are only about 8 weeks old, I think they’re too young for wing clipping.

      I’m not an advocate for clipping the wings unless it’s absolutely necessary, and I’ve found that it’s often not. We have a 4′ high fence around ours, and although they are technically able to fly over the fence, they never do.

      .

      Reply
  14. SHARLA says

    April 5, 2011 at 9:40 am

    I WANT TO CLIP THE WINGS SO THEY WON’T COME IN MY 4′ FENCED YARD. THEY GO THRU THE BOARDS NOW, SO I WILL PUT 2′ TALL CHICKEN WIRE AROUND THE BASE OF THE FENCE. SO I HOPE THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO JUMP UP TO THE 4′ TOP. MY QUESTION/CONCERN IS THIS. WILL THEY STILL BE ABLE TO JUMP UP TO THEIR ROOST INSIDE THEIR CHICKEN COOP. IT IS VERY SECURE FOR THEM AT NIGHT. THEIR LAYING NEST IS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE PVC PIPE WHERE THEY ROOST,SO WILL THEY BE ABLE TO GET UP THERE MAYBE IN TWO JUMPS, AND WILL THEY BE ABLE TO BALANCE THEMSELVES IF I JUST CLIP ONE WING? WHEW. I NEED HELP WITH ALL OF THIS. THANKS.

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      April 5, 2011 at 8:19 pm

      Hi Sharla,
      Ours could still jump up on their roost set-up; which is a roost at about a foot high and then a second one at about 2 foot high. They would jump up to the foot high one and then up to the 2 foot high one – never seemed to be any problem.

      As far as balancing if you clip just one wing – I always trimmed both wings so they would be balanced, so I don’t know how badly having just one wing clipped affects their balance.

      Reply
  15. ANGELLE says

    March 22, 2011 at 9:57 am

    thanks alot! we got advice from a friend and we cut too little and the rooster is still escaping! Gonna try this as soon as i get home! Thanks again….i HATE loosing my chicken!!!

    Reply
  16. Tamela says

    October 26, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    Thanks so much. I have 22 hens all i got in the spring. So they r big girls now. And for some unknown reason they keep flying out of there coop. And i lost 1 to a neighbors dog. So i have to clip there wings now. Thanks again for the pic’s of how to accomplish this,hope it helps.

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      November 1, 2010 at 7:50 pm

      It so upsetting to lose a chicken, so I hope the clipping keeps them closer to home too!

      Reply
  17. Dale in Oklahoma says

    September 22, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    Thanks for the information! I am having a problem keeping my babies in the electric net, since they are big kids now. Did all of yours go from red to speckled when you cut their wings? Just a temporary side effect I suppose.. :O) thanks again!

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      September 22, 2010 at 8:21 pm

      Yes, they all went from red to speckled, but the side effect happens so quickly you have to be really quick with the camera. 🙂 Don’t they go from babies to big kids just overnight? Glad it helped out.

      Reply
  18. ragdoll says

    September 4, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    thank you so much for your info we have an anacauna that will not stay in the coop your info is so valuable to us again thank you ragdoll

    Reply
    • Lesa says

      September 5, 2010 at 8:34 pm

      Glad the information helped!

      Reply

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