Wing Clipping

[daveandsally]

Hi all, our chicks are now 8 weeks old. At what age can you clip a wing please? They have now gone from jumping to flying! Thanks.

 

[paneubert]

If they have flight feathers that are totally unsheathed, you can clip. Keep in mind they will be replaced with every molt.

 

[daveandsally]

If they have flight feathers that are totally unsheathed, you can clip. Keep in mind they will be replaced with every molt.

Hi, thanks for response. What do you mean by 'unsheathed'? Cheers.

 

[paneubert]

When they are still growing the feathers they have a covering on them. Like a shell over the feather. Like shrink wrap. On my phone, no photos examples. One reason not to clip if the feather is still growing is that you are more likely to hit blood..... After they have unsheathed, the blood flow is further back towards the body.

 

[paneubert]

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...wpQM&vet=1&docid=knQxrXeWWOGNrM&w=3000&h=1667

 

[alexa009]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! You can clip a chicken's wings at any age. Only the first primary or flight feathers need to be clipped. Don't clip anywhere near the wing bow where you will feel the flesh. This will cause the bird to be in pain and bleeding will occur.

Keep in mind that only adult chickens will regrow back their feathers through every molt. Younger pullets or cockerels feathers will come back in even sooner since they are not mature and are still rapidly growing.

 

[daveandsally]

When they are still growing the feathers they have a covering on them. Like a shell over the feather. Like shrink wrap. On my phone, no photos examples. One reason not to clip if the feather is still growing is that you are more likely to hit blood..... After they have unsheathed, the blood flow is further back towards the body.

Thanks, appreciate your advice. Dave

 

[daveandsally]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! You can clip a chicken's wings at any age. Only the first primary or flight feathers need to be clipped. Don't clip anywhere near the wing bow where you will feel the flesh. This will cause the bird to be in pain and bleeding will occur.

Keep in mind that only adult chickens will regrow back their feathers through every molt. Younger pullets or cockerels will come back in even sooner since they are not mature and are still rapidly growing.

Thanks. Am I to assume then if one clips a young hen, say 8-9 weeks old the primary feathers will not grow again as does the adult hens?

 

[alexa009]

Thanks. Am I to assume then if one clips a young hen, say 8-9 weeks old the primary feathers will not grow again as does the adult hens?

No, I just meant that a 8 week old's feathers normally regrow within a month or so after trimming. Sorry, I should of said that hens molt once a year starting sometime in the fall.

 

[daveandsally]

No, I just meant that a 8 week old's feathers normally regrow within a month or so after trimming. Sorry, I should of said that hens molt once a year starting sometime in the fall.

Many thanks for all your help. Take care, Dave, in sunny New Zealand