Molting - clipped wings not coming out?

[CathyM]

Hi -

I remember a piece in Gail Damerow's book where she just mentions that "sometimes you have to help the chicken with those clipped wings when it molts" - but she's not specific. What am I supposed to do? One of my hens seems to be losing those clipped wings, and one isn't -- am I supposed to pull them out? I hate that thought!

It's pretty obvious they are going through molt - feathers everywhere, and I don't want one to suffer because I'd clipped her wings.

Does anyone know what the procedure is if clipped wings don't molt/fall out naturally? Thanks!

 

[saladin]

I have to clip some of my Game hens wings; I've never had one that didn't come back in after the moult. You can pull them with no problem, but I can't imagine needing too.

 

[CathyM]

Quote:
When you say "no problem", do you mean it doesn't hurt them?

 

[saladin]

I generally clip wings but I've pulled feathers too. Does it hurt them? It doesn't seem to bother them that I've noticed.