It’s a widely spread internet myth to clip just one chicken's wing. Your bird’s balance, safety, and ability to land depend on both wings working together.
In Episode 28 poultry vet Dr. Blayne gives a step‑by‑step chicken wing clipping tutorial: how to restrain your bird, avoid blood feathers, and keep your chickens safe from predators by keeping them inside your enclosure. Learn why the “one wing only” wing clipping trick is a myth that makes flight erratic and can lead to injury. See exactly which primary feathers to trim (and how much) to safely clip chicken wings to prevent flying, without hurting your bird or throwing off their balance.
If you want your flock to stop flying over the fence, stay predator-safe, and still move comfortably, check out this episode perfect for backyard chickens, urban flocks, and beginner chicken keepers.
For further information read our article on wing clipping: https://thepoultrydoc.com/learn/article/proper-wing-clipping
0:00 – Welcome to The Poultry Doc Podcast
0:20 – When and why to clip chicken wings (safety, predators, fence lines)
1:00 – The myth of clipping only one wing (and why it’s wrong)
1:35 – How birds use wings for balance and righting response
2:05 – Primary vs secondary vs covert feathers (wing anatomy)
2:45 – How short to trim and staying away from the wing tip
3:20 – Blood feathers: how to spot them and when NOT to clip
4:00 – Best tools and scissors for wing clipping
5:05 – How to safely restrain your chicken (“football hold”)
6:25 – Live demo: clipping the primary feathers on the first wing
7:35 – Clipping the second wing and keeping things even
8:15 – What your bird looks and feels like after clipping
8:40 – When to add secondary feathers and strong fliers/roosters