Kate, my Speckled Sussex hen
Kate, my Speckled Sussex hen

ABOUT WING FEATHERS

The longest feathers on a chicken’s wing are its primaries, also known as primary wing feathers or flight feathers. Coverts are the shorter wings that cover/overlap the primaries. Secondary wing feathers, which are located behind the primaries, are not routinely clipped.

The longest feathers on a chicken's wing are its primaries, also known as primary wing feathers or flight feathers. Coverts are the shorter wings that cover/overlap the primaries. Secondary wing feathers, which are located behind the primaries, are not routinely clipped.

 

Primary wing feathers may be referred to as flight feathers or primaries.

Clipping the flight feathers of one wing limits a chicken’s ability to fly by interfering with balance. There are ten primary wing feathers as shown below fully extended.

Clipping the flight feathers of one wing limits a chicken's ability to fly by interfering with balance. There are ten primary wing feathers as shown below fully extended.

WHEN TO CLIP PRIMARY WING FEATHERS

Some chickens find the grass greener on the other side of any place they are, but there are times when it is necessary to confine them for their own safety (busy road, dogs next door, etc) or to preserve a garden. Wing clipping a way to limit a chicken’s ability to fly.

Some chickens find the grass greener on the other side of any place they are, but there are times when it is necessary to confine them for their own safety (busy road, dogs next door, etc) or to preserve a garden. Wing clipping a way to limit a chicken's ability to fly.

ADVANTAGES OF WING CLIPPING

  • Safe, painless way to ground a chicken. Clipping flight feathers disrupts a bird’s balance, which can prevent flying over fences intended to safeguard it.
  • Temporary: feathers will grow back when the chicken molts.

DISADVANTAGES OF WING CLIPPING

  • Hampers bird’s ability to use flight as an escape mechanism, leaving chicken vulnerable to predators.
  • May result in injuries from the inability to descend safely from heights (roosts/branches)
  • When done improperly, can result in bleeding.
  • Disqualifies show chickens.

Newly emerging feathers have a vein-filled shaft that will bleed if cut or injured. Avoid cutting any of these pin feathers during wing clipping.

PIN FEATHER WARNING

Newly emerging feathers have a vein-filled shaft that will bleed if cut or injured. Avoid cutting any of these pin feathers during wing clipping.

For maximum safety and efficiency, a partner should be roped into helping with wing clipping.

HOW TO CLIP A CHICKEN’S FLIGHT FEATHERS

For maximum safety and efficiency, a partner should be roped into helping with wing clipping.

  • Operator 1 holds chicken’s feet in one hand, pressing chicken close to body while fanning the wing feathers out with the free hand.
  • Operator 2 locates coverts and primaries.
  • Using sharp, long scissors, Operator 2 clips primary flight feathers just BENEATH the coverts.

Some chickens are more ambitious, spirited or motivated than others to clear a fence, which may necessitate the clipping of primary feathers on both wings, the clipping of secondary wing feathers and/or installing overhead netting in the enclosure.

Some chickens are more ambitious, spirited or motivated than others to clear a fence, which may necessitate the clipping of primary feathers on both wings, the clipping of secondary wing feathers and/or installing overhead netting in the enclosure.

 

Intact Wings

Wing clipping has not stopped Kate from hopping up and over a four foot high fence despite her size. I am not willing to clip secondary feathers or coverts, however. She isn’t in danger when she is on the other side of the fence, but she does make a mess in the mulch in the front of the house. I can live with it.

Wing clipping has not stopped Kate from hopping up and over a four foot high fence despite her size. I am not willing to clip secondary feathers or coverts, however. She isn't in danger when she is on the other side of the fence, but she does make a mess in the mulch in the front of the house. I can live with it.

 

Clipped Wings

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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Kate, my Speckled Sussex hen
Kate, my Speckled Sussex hen

ABOUT WING FEATHERS

The longest feathers on a chicken’s wing are its primaries, also known as primary wing feathers or flight feathers. Coverts are the shorter wings that cover/overlap the primaries. Secondary wing feathers, which are located behind the primaries, are not routinely clipped.

The longest feathers on a chicken's wing are its primaries, also known as primary wing feathers or flight feathers. Coverts are the shorter wings that cover/overlap the primaries. Secondary wing feathers, which are located behind the primaries, are not routinely clipped.

 

Primary wing feathers may be referred to as flight feathers or primaries.

Clipping the flight feathers of one wing limits a chicken’s ability to fly by interfering with balance. There are ten primary wing feathers as shown below fully extended.

Clipping the flight feathers of one wing limits a chicken's ability to fly by interfering with balance. There are ten primary wing feathers as shown below fully extended.

WHEN TO CLIP PRIMARY WING FEATHERS

Some chickens find the grass greener on the other side of any place they are, but there are times when it is necessary to confine them for their own safety (busy road, dogs next door, etc) or to preserve a garden. Wing clipping a way to limit a chicken’s ability to fly.

Some chickens find the grass greener on the other side of any place they are, but there are times when it is necessary to confine them for their own safety (busy road, dogs next door, etc) or to preserve a garden. Wing clipping a way to limit a chicken's ability to fly.

ADVANTAGES OF WING CLIPPING

  • Safe, painless way to ground a chicken. Clipping flight feathers disrupts a bird’s balance, which can prevent flying over fences intended to safeguard it.
  • Temporary: feathers will grow back when the chicken molts.

DISADVANTAGES OF WING CLIPPING

  • Hampers bird’s ability to use flight as an escape mechanism, leaving chicken vulnerable to predators.
  • May result in injuries from the inability to descend safely from heights (roosts/branches)
  • When done improperly, can result in bleeding.
  • Disqualifies show chickens.

Newly emerging feathers have a vein-filled shaft that will bleed if cut or injured. Avoid cutting any of these pin feathers during wing clipping.

PIN FEATHER WARNING

Newly emerging feathers have a vein-filled shaft that will bleed if cut or injured. Avoid cutting any of these pin feathers during wing clipping.

For maximum safety and efficiency, a partner should be roped into helping with wing clipping.

HOW TO CLIP A CHICKEN’S FLIGHT FEATHERS

For maximum safety and efficiency, a partner should be roped into helping with wing clipping.

  • Operator 1 holds chicken’s feet in one hand, pressing chicken close to body while fanning the wing feathers out with the free hand.
  • Operator 2 locates coverts and primaries.
  • Using sharp, long scissors, Operator 2 clips primary flight feathers just BENEATH the coverts.

Some chickens are more ambitious, spirited or motivated than others to clear a fence, which may necessitate the clipping of primary feathers on both wings, the clipping of secondary wing feathers and/or installing overhead netting in the enclosure.

Some chickens are more ambitious, spirited or motivated than others to clear a fence, which may necessitate the clipping of primary feathers on both wings, the clipping of secondary wing feathers and/or installing overhead netting in the enclosure.

 

Intact Wings

Wing clipping has not stopped Kate from hopping up and over a four foot high fence despite her size. I am not willing to clip secondary feathers or coverts, however. She isn’t in danger when she is on the other side of the fence, but she does make a mess in the mulch in the front of the house. I can live with it.

Wing clipping has not stopped Kate from hopping up and over a four foot high fence despite her size. I am not willing to clip secondary feathers or coverts, however. She isn't in danger when she is on the other side of the fence, but she does make a mess in the mulch in the front of the house. I can live with it.

 

Clipped Wings

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Erin Watkins Cohan
Erin Watkins Cohan
2024 years ago

I just read this article & watched the video then noticed the Topsal Island shirt. That’s where we live! Well, across the waterway on the mainland. ?

Ann Kosa
Ann Kosa
2024 years ago

I clipped 6 Freedom Rangers during my failed “Meat Bird Experience” and those guys all just went along like nothing happened, hopping up to steal catfood and bully the cat, hopping the fence, and hopping into low branches. Determined critters.

Vu Vuong
Vu Vuong
2024 years ago

Could you tell me which wing is the best to clip and why? Is it necessary to concern about it or we can clip either wing?
Thanks

Chris Likens
Chris Likens
9 years ago

Thanks for the Info!