Some chickens are great escape artists or curious wanderers!

No matter how high your fence is, they are determined to get to your delicious vegetable garden, roost in a tree, or explore greener pastures on the other side of the fence.

Over the years, I have definitely had a few of these! And the hotly debated topic has popped up a few times in conversations - to clip a chicken's wings or not?

Yes, in a perfect setting, there is no need to clip chickens' wings. However, if your chickens are constantly escaping from their run, ruining your garden beds, pooping all over your patio, or putting themselves in danger, wing clipping is a simple way to keep them inside.

We are on team clipping, and it has undoubtedly resolved some issues and concerns for us when it comes to our flock.

Scroll down for a quick video tutorial on how to clip chicken wings, the reasons for clipping their wings, and answers to your wing-clipping questions!

HOW TO CLIP CHICKEN WINGS

Before learning how to clip chicken wings, you need to know what wings to clip!

Firstly, chickens have three sets of feathers - the primary feathers, also known as the primaries or flight feathers, the secondary feathers, and the coverts, the shorter feathers overlapping the primaries.

You will only cut the primary flight feathers.

The primary wing feathers are the first 10 (roughly) feathers starting from the wing tip and are significantly longer than the others. Their shape is narrow and aerodynamic, and they are smooth and glossy, not fluffy.

The secondary flight feathers grow on the lower 2/3s of the wing. 

Step 1

Hold the bird under one arm or between your legs while sitting. You could also ask someone to firmly hold the bird around the middle. Make sure they are comfy and steady. Trap one wing while leaving the other free and gently extend the free wing to its entire wing span. 

Step 2

Identify the 10 primary feathers and judge the length to clip based on the coverts. Generally, the primary feathers are clipped, slightly longer than the overlapping coverts. In many instances, you can reduce the length of the primary feathers by 50%. 

However, you may need to adjust the measurement if your bird has short or long coverts.

The biggest mistake many people make is not clipping enough of the wing tip, and the chicken can still flutter out of a coop or fence.

Step 3

Use sharp, strong scissors, and cut straight across the ten primary feathers.

Remember to avoid trimming any new pin feathers or too close to the coverts!

Why do chickens escape?

Chickens escape their coop for many reasons, including:

• Some breeds are naturally more adventurous and curious than others.

• They may be hungry or bored.

• Something may have scared them off.

• They may follow a friend.

• Trying to access delicious-looking food on the other side of the fence.

• They are broody and looking for a private place to nest and lay their eggs.

• They want to escape from bullying.

Why wing clipping?

Clipping chickens' wings will solve many of the above problems and keep them where they are meant to be, safe in their run or pen.

Clipping their wings can protect them in cases where they would fly into the territory of a neighbor's dog, into traffic, or get into some other dangerous situation.

It will also prevent them from invading your garden, messing on your patio or other areas, and avoiding uncomfortable situations with neighbors that are not fans of chickens!

By clipping their wings, you will prevent your chickens from getting enough lift to fly and unbalance them.

But Should chickens not be able to fly?

For hens, being able to fly or flutter can be crucial. It enables them to dodge predators, get to food, and safely descend from high roosts.

However, birds are fed and safeguarded from predators in a backyard chicken coop and run. So there is no urgent need for a domestic chicken to fly as long as you ensure your roosts are not too high and your hens can easily exit from roosts and nesting boxes.

Because of the dangers of cars, predators, and animals lurking outside their coop, backyard chickens' ability to fly can actually end tragically for them and you!

Which chicken breeds are more prone to flying?

Certain chickens are renowned for their propensity for flight. The simplest way to know is to look at their general body mass.

Heavier birds have greater difficulty acquiring the lift required to clear a fence. Where lighter, smaller birds can more easily reach trees.

For example, Bantams are renowned for their capacity to fly, thanks to their smaller size and lighter weight. Many other breeds, including Araucanas, Ameraucanas, Polish, and Sumatra, can also reach significant heights.

Orpingtons, Australorps, Silkies, Wyandottes, and Sussex are a few chicken breeds that struggle to fly due to their heavier body weight!

Does clipping its wing hurt my chicken?

If done correctly, wing clipping is totally safe and painless for the chicken since their flight feathers do not have nerve endings or blood vessels.

If you are careful not to clip the feathers too close to the base, you will not hurt your chicken.

There is an exception, however - pin feathers. Pin feathers are newly emerging feathers attached to blood vessels that are needed to grow, which should never be clipped. You can easily recognize them by their small size and the shaft they are emerging from. 

Be particularly attentive when clipping your chickens right after molting, when many of their feathers may still be growing.

Always check the color of the quill – it should be white or clear. A dark quill means that it is full of blood, and the feather is still growing.

Should I clip one or both wings?

I prefer to clip only one wing as this grounds them the best by unbalancing them. When both wings are clipped, they have balance again.

However, a chicken with one clipped wing can get used to being unbalanced and still escape over a low fence or if they have something to jump off.

Sometimes, clipping both wings is more effective for persistent escapees because it reduces lift significantly.

How often should I clip my chickens' wings?

Clipping their wings will always be an ongoing task as feathers regrow. The frequency can range from once to twice a year and also depends on how many chickens you have and whether they all molt together.

Young birds molt a few times during their first year, so you won't want to clip their feathers during this time.

Chickens are also creatures of habit, and the more their wings are clipped, the more they get used to it, and the less likely they will try to fly away.

Will my chicken's cut feathers grow back?

Feathers do not grow after being cut; instead, a chicken must grow new feathers. Chickens molt and regrow all of their feathers about once a year. When they molt, they will regrow their flight feathers, which you will need to clip again.

And just like that, you know how to clip chicken wings! Friend, I assure you it is much easier than you may imagine. And if you follow my exact steps, I promise you, you won’t hurt your beloved chickens!

Want to learn more about chicken care?

I think you’ll love these blogs:

A guide on how to choose and buy chickens

Caring for chickens 101 - A beginners guide

Treatment for bumblefoot in chickens

Love, Annette xx

OUR HOMEGROWN PLATFORM

There’s nothing like the excitement of learning a new thing - how to garden, how to make delicious recipes from your garden, how to care for baby chicks.

But the truth is that without understanding the basics, these fun experiences can become a headache. Bugs eat your tomatoes before you do. Recipes don’t taste like what you hoped. Those chicks get sick or worse, don’t make it.

We have been creating and curating content from people just like you who have already lived and learned, and are excited to share with you the steps they took to find success so you don’t have to repeat the same mistakes we have made.

From food to farm to family and so much more, we find ways to share tried and tested ideas in your own kitchen, garden, and home.

• A growing library of over 100 videos

• Watch and enjoy on any device

• Connect with a community of lifelong learners

• Access to on-demand workshops and step-by-step tutorials

• Fun Instruction for Rookies or Rockstars

• Curated courses & world-class instruction

• Affordable subscriptions with no surprise extra costs

• Special subscriber offers & personal support for your country living questions

HomeGrown is here to not just teach you what to do but how to do it too. Oh…and we have some fun along the way.

For a small fee of $5.99/month or $49 for the year, you have years of experience, trial and error, and knowledge right at your fingertips.

pin for later