Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by AwesomeChickens
Chickens are pretty easy animals to take care of whether you are a farm owner or just someone who enjoys fresh eggs from a backyard coop. The only time these birds can become somewhat of a nuisance is when they start to try flying over the fence or roosting on high tree branches. In that case, you need to clip their wings.
Clipping chicken wings is a simple task that doesn’t take much time and will help keep your birds grounded. All you must do is shorten their primary flight feathers, and your chickens will no longer be able to get a lift when trying to fly away.
If you are unsure of how to clip your chicken’s feathers, continuing reading our article. We will give you step-by-step instructions and answer some of the most common questions regarding clipping a chicken’s wing.
Table of Contents
3 Steps to Clipping Your Chickens Wings
There are three major steps involved in clipping your chickens’ wings. The hardest part of the whole thing will be the first step, getting the chicken into position for clipping.
Step 1: Find and Calm Your Chicken
When you go out to the barn to locate the chicken that needs clipping, you have to remain calm and not get the coop riled up. That is only going to make things harder on you. Once you have the bird insight, try and get them cornered where it will be hard for them to run away.
Hold the bird with your hands, keeping the wings pressed tightly against the sides of its body. Then flip your chicken upside down. Once in this position, chickens go into a trance-like state and will become much easier to handle.
Step 2: Prepare the Wings
Now that your chicken is ready for the job at hand extend the wing out far enough the feathers begin to ruffle or protrude.
You are looking for the main flight feather. These will be longer and closer to the tip of the wing than the other feathers. You may also notice these feathers are a different color.
Step 3: Cut the Main Flight Feathers From the Wing
With a pair of sharp scissors, carefully clip the feathers down a little more than a ½ the length of the flight feather. It is done to about ten feathers altogether. Once the job is completed, your chicken is free to go.
Things to Know
There are a few tips to know before you go forward with trimming up your chicken’s feathers. Here is a list of information, that may help you get through this task quickly and without problems.
1. Careful Not to Clip too Far
Just like dogs have quicks in their nail beds, chickens have veins in their feathers. When cutting the chicken’s feathers, be extremely careful not to cut too low as the chicken will start to bleed. It can be dangerous for the chicken.
2. What to do if Your Chicken Starts to Bleed
If you do happen to clip your chicken’s feathers too low and they start to bleed, quickly grab a clean rag and apply pressure to the area like any other type of wound. You can also use flour to help clot the blood to slow down the bleeding, then get your chicken to the vet.
3. Clipping One Wing May be the Better Option
Clipping your chicken’s flight feathers will make flying challenging, but it may not make it impossible. It is recommended to only clip one wing rather than both. It will make taking flight much harder.
4. Wing Clipping Should be Done Annually
You shouldn’t have to clip your chicken’s wings very often. Just once a year should suffice. The clipped feathers will fall out during the molting season, and new flight feathers will grow in.
5. If All Else Fails, Bribe Your Chicken
If you have a chicken that is nearly impossible to catch for any reason, most birds cannot resist a mealworm. Use these little guys to entice your chicken to come your way so you can calmly capture them.
Do You Have to Clip Your Chickens Wings?
Absolutely not. There is no reason to clip chicken’s wings unless it is done to stop them from getting into gardens, flying over fences, or simply causing trouble.
If you have calm and docile chickens that do not fly off or get stuck up in trees, then feel free to leave their feathers where they are.
The Downside to Clipping Your Chickens Wings
Everything we do for our animals comes from a good place. When we clip our chicken’s feathers, it is to keep them out of trouble and safe. Sometimes, though, clipping your chicken’s wings can have a few disadvantages.
Clipping too Soon
If you clip a young bird’s feathers too soon, you will cause a lot of blood loss. It is because young chickens have newly grown feathers that have veins filling the shafts. Avoid clipping your chicken’s feathers until they are full-grown, and all their feathers have come in.
Inability to Balance
Chickens who have their wings clipped may still be able to flutter their way to perch higher off the ground. Once they are ready to come back down, they may have difficulty keeping their balance while descending. It can cause serious injuries.
Clipped Wings Take Away a Birds Only Protection
If you have free-range chickens that can roam and are open prey to cats, dogs, or wild predators, you should reconsider clipping their wings. For hen’s flying away is the only protection they have when under attack.
Summing Things Up
It is important to be extra careful when clipping your chicken’s feathers. However, as long as you are gentle and take your time, this is an easy process and safe, keeping your chickens in your yard where they belong.
