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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Suzanne Warner
Suzanne Warner
2024 years ago

I clipped once but never really found it necessary to clip again. My girls seem to be happy in the back yard. Only when I had a rooster did they wander. Since I found a farmer who loved my Barred Rock Rooster (he really was handsome) the girls are happy close to their hutch. I have a strong and secure hutch that keeps the girls safe at night The fence is also pretty secure. So far so good and I keep my fingers crossed! I do love your websight and I’ve learned a lot from it. Thanks, Suzanne

Suzanne Warner
Suzanne Warner
2024 years ago

I learner that chickens are powerful jumpers

Natalie
Natalie
2024 years ago

It is my speckled Sussex hen (Patricia) who is giving me grief and flying over a 4ft fence post clipping too! Coincidence? She’s my gutsiest chicken.

Erin Watkins Cohan
Erin Watkins Cohan
2024 years ago

That would be great!