7 Best Andis Blades For Chickens for Safe Trims

You’ve found one of your hens with a matted, messy backside, a classic case of "pasty butt" that’s moved beyond a chick issue. Grabbing a pair of scissors seems like the quick fix, but one wrong snip can easily cut a chicken’s thin, sensitive skin. This is where a good pair of clippers and the right blade make all the difference between a safe, clean trim and a stressful, potentially harmful experience for your bird.

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Choosing the Right Blade for Your Flock’s Safety

The numbers and letters on a clipper blade aren’t just for professional groomers; they’re your guide to safety. The number (#10, #7, #30) indicates the length of the cut—the higher the number, the shorter the hair or feather will be left. A #30 blade cuts extremely close to the skin, while a #7 leaves feathers much longer.

The most important letters you’ll see are "FC," which stands for Finish Cut. These blades have full-length teeth that feed feathers smoothly, preventing the blade from snagging or pulling a chicken’s delicate skin. You should never use a "skip-tooth" blade on a chicken; their staggered teeth are designed for thick animal coats and are a recipe for injury on a bird.

Heat is your other major enemy. Blades get hot with use, which can burn a chicken’s skin and cause immense stress. Always have a coolant spray on hand and check the blade temperature against your own wrist every minute or so. A hot blade is a dangerous blade.

Andis UltraEdge #10: The All-Purpose Standard

If you only buy one blade for your flock, make it the #10. It cuts to a length of 1/16" (1.5mm), which is the perfect middle ground for nearly all chicken-related grooming tasks. It’s short enough to clear away messy feathers around the vent for hygiene but leaves enough cover to protect the skin from sun and pecking.

This is your go-to blade for dealing with vent gleet, pasty butt in older birds, or trimming feathers to deal with a broody hen who is soiling her nest. Its versatility makes it indispensable. The standard #10 blade is a workhorse that provides a safe, predictable cut every time, making it the foundation of any chicken keeper’s grooming kit.

Andis CeramicEdge #10: For Cooler, Longer Trims

The CeramicEdge #10 offers the same reliable 1/16" cut as its steel counterpart, but with a significant advantage: it runs cooler. The ceramic cutting blade generates less friction than steel-on-steel, meaning it stays cooler for much longer. This is a huge benefit when you’re working on a particularly stubborn trim or have to groom several birds in one session.

A cooler blade means less stress for the bird and a lower risk of causing clipper burn. It also means you spend less time stopping to spray coolant. While they cost a bit more upfront, the ceramic blades also tend to hold their edge longer than steel. Think of it as an investment in efficiency and your flock’s comfort, especially if you find yourself reaching for the clippers regularly.

Andis UltraEdge #7FC: Tackling Matted Feathers

Sometimes you encounter a mess that a #10 blade just can’t handle. When feathers are severely matted with mud, droppings, or egg, a #7FC blade is the tool for the job. It leaves feathers longer, at 1/8" (3.2mm), which allows the blade to get under the mat without pulling on the skin.

Trying to force a shorter blade like a #10 through a dense mat is risky; it can easily snag the skin hidden underneath. The #7FC acts as a rough-in tool. Use it to safely remove the bulk of the problem, then you can switch back to a #10 for a cleaner, closer finish if needed. It’s the problem-solver you’ll be glad to have when things get really messy.

Andis UltraEdge #15: A Closer Cut for Hygiene

The #15 blade provides a closer cut at 3/64" (1.2mm). This isn’t a blade for routine grooming. Its purpose is for specific health-related situations where you need an area to be exceptionally clean and easy to monitor.

For example, if you’re treating a stubborn case of bumblefoot, a #15 blade can help clear the feathers around the footpad for easier cleaning and application of medication. It’s also useful for severe vent gleet where keeping the skin completely clean is critical to healing. Use this blade with extreme caution. Its close cut leaves little room for error, so a steady hand and a calm bird are essential.

Andis UltraEdge #5FC: For a Longer, Natural Look

For owners of feather-footed breeds like Cochins, Brahmas, or Silkies, keeping their leg and feet feathers (muffs) clean can be a constant battle. The #5FC blade, which leaves a 1/4" (6.3mm) length, is the perfect solution. It trims the muffs enough to keep them from dragging in mud and collecting mites, but leaves enough length for a natural, feathered look.

This isn’t about shaving the legs bare. It’s about practical maintenance that preserves the bird’s appearance while drastically improving its hygiene and comfort. Using a #5FC in muddy seasons can prevent a host of problems, from caked-on dirt to scaly leg mites taking hold in the dense feathering.

Andis #10 Wide Blade: Efficient for Large Breeds

A standard #10 blade is fantastic, but if you’re working with large breeds like Jersey Giants, Brahmas, or big Orpingtons, a wide blade can be a real time-saver. The #10 Wide blade offers the same safe 1/16" cut length but has a cutting surface that’s about 35% wider than the standard blade.

This means you can clear a larger area with each pass. Fewer passes equal less time handling the bird, which in turn means less stress for everyone involved. For someone with a large flock or just a few very big birds, the efficiency gained can make a routine task much faster and smoother. It’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference in practice.

Andis ShowEdge #30: Precision for Show Trimming

Let’s be very clear: the #30 blade is a specialty tool, not for general use. It cuts extremely close to the skin at 1/50" (0.5mm) and should only be used by experienced handlers for show preparation. Its purpose is to create clean, sharp lines and tidy up stray feathers for exhibition.

This blade is for fine-detail work, like defining the feather line around a comb or tidying the edges of the hocks on a clean-legged bird. The risk of nicks and cuts is significantly higher with a #30 blade due to how close it shaves. For the average backyard chicken keeper focused on health and hygiene, this blade is unnecessary and introduces more risk than reward.

Ultimately, choosing the right blade is about putting your flock’s safety and comfort first. For 90% of the tasks a hobby farmer will face, a standard #10 blade is the perfect tool—safe, effective, and versatile. The other blades are specialists, designed to solve specific problems, from matted feathers to show-ring prep. Start with a #10, keep it clean and cool, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle whatever grooming needs your chickens throw at you.