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How to Clip Flight Feathers on Chickens?

Keeping chickens in your backyard is a joy, but it definitely comes with a few challenges—like figuring out how to keep your birds from flapping over the fence and wandering into trouble.

While chickens aren’t strong fliers like wild birds, some of them (especially lighter breeds like Leghorns or Bantams) can still manage short bursts of flight that are just enough to cause headaches.

Whether they’re escaping the yard, digging up your garden beds, or putting themselves at risk from predators, it can quickly become a problem.

That’s where clipping flight feathers comes in. It’s a simple, humane way to limit their ability to fly by trimming just a few key feathers—kind of like giving them a haircut.

Done properly, it doesn’t hurt at all, and it helps keep your chickens safely grounded without affecting their ability to walk, run, or be their usual curious selves.

In this write-up I’ll break down the steps, explain how chicken wings work, go over the tools you need, and even cover what to watch out for afterward.

Why Clip Flight Feathers?

Clipping flight feathers serves several practical purposes for poultry keepers:

  • Prevent Escapes: Chickens that can fly over fences may escape their enclosures, putting them at risk of predators, traffic, or getting lost.
  • Protect Property: Flying chickens can damage gardens, crops, or neighbor’s property by scratching, pecking, or roosting in unwanted areas.
  • Enhance Safety: Keeping chickens contained reduces their exposure to predators like hawks, foxes, or dogs.
  • Manage Flock Dynamics: In mixed flocks, clipping can prevent dominant birds from flying to high perches where they might bully others.
  • Simplify Management: For urban or suburban keepers, clipping ensures chickens stay within designated areas, reducing conflicts with neighbors.

While clipping is not always necessary—especially for heavy breeds like Orpingtons or Brahmas that rarely fly—it’s a valuable tool for managing flighty breeds or securing a flock in open environments.

Also Read: How to Keep Chickens Safe from Predators?

Understanding Chicken Wing Anatomy

Before clipping, it’s crucial to understand the structure of a chicken’s wing to avoid mistakes. A chicken’s wing consists of several types of feathers, each serving a specific function:

  • Primary Flight Feathers: These are the long, stiff feathers at the outer edge of the wing, typically 10 in number. They provide the main lift and thrust for flight and are the primary target for clipping.
  • Secondary Flight Feathers: Located closer to the body, these feathers aid in lift but are less critical for flight. They are usually left unclipped.
  • Covert Feathers: These smaller feathers overlap the primaries and secondaries, providing streamlining and insulation. They are not clipped.
  • Alula: A small group of feathers at the wing’s “thumb,” used for flight control. These are also left unclipped.

The primary flight feathers are the focus of clipping because trimming them disrupts the wing’s ability to generate enough lift for sustained flight.

Importantly, you must avoid cutting into the feather shaft’s base, where blood vessels (the “quick”) may be present in growing feathers.

When to Clip Flight Feathers

Timing is important for successful feather clipping:

  • Age: Wait until chicks are fully feathered, typically around 6–8 weeks, before clipping. Juvenile feathers are more fragile, and clipping too early may not be effective.
  • Molt Cycles: Chickens molt annually, shedding and regrowing feathers. Clipping should be done after a molt when new feathers are fully grown, as clipping during a molt can be ineffective or stressful.
  • Behavioral Cues: Clip feathers when you notice chickens flying over fences, escaping, or accessing high perches that cause issues.
  • Frequency: Clipping lasts until the next molt, usually 6–12 months, depending on the chicken’s age and breed. Regular checks are needed to ensure feathers haven’t regrown.

Check this: 7 Ways to Break a Broody Chicken

Tools and Preparation

Proper preparation ensures a smooth and stress-free clipping process. Gather the following tools and set up a calm environment:

Tools Needed

  • Sharp Scissors: Use clean, sharp scissors designed for poultry or heavy-duty shears. Avoid dull blades, which can crush feathers and cause discomfort.
  • Towel or Blanket: A towel can help restrain the chicken and keep it calm.
  • Gloves (Optional): Some keepers prefer gloves to protect against scratches or to handle nervous birds.
  • First-Aid Supplies: Have styptic powder or cornstarch on hand in case you accidentally cut a blood feather.
  • Assistant (Optional): A second person can help hold the chicken, especially if you’re new to clipping.
  • Flashlight: Useful for identifying blood feathers, especially in low-light conditions.

Preparing the Environment

  • Choose a quiet, well-lit area to minimize stress. A garage, shed, or shaded outdoor space works well.
  • Ensure the chicken is calm. Avoid clipping during extreme weather (hot or cold) or when the flock is stressed (e.g., after a predator scare).
  • Have a secure holding area, like a crate or pen, to keep clipped chickens separate until all are done, preventing stress or pecking.

How to Clip Flight Feathers on Chickens?

Follow these detailed steps to clip your chicken’s flight feathers safely and effectively:

Step 1: Catch and Restrain the Chicken

  • Approach the chicken calmly to avoid startling it. Use a gentle, scooping motion to pick it up, supporting its body and wings.
  • Hold the chicken securely against your body, with one hand under its breast and the other gently pinning its wings.
  • Optionally, wrap the chicken in a towel, leaving one wing exposed, to keep it calm and prevent flapping.

Step 2: Identify the Wing to Clip

  • Decide whether to clip one or both wings. Clipping one wing is often sufficient, as it unbalances the chicken, causing it to spiral or flop rather than fly straight. Clipping both wings may be necessary for particularly flighty birds.
  • Extend the wing gently by holding the tip and spreading it out to reveal the feathers.

Step 3: Locate the Primary Flight Feathers

  • Identify the 10 primary flight feathers at the outer edge of the wing. They are longer and stiffer than the secondary feathers closer to the body.
  • Check for blood feathers (new feathers with a dark, waxy shaft containing blood). Avoid cutting these, as they are sensitive and can bleed if trimmed.

Step 4: Trim the Feathers

  • Using sharp scissors, cut the primary flight feathers about halfway down their length, leaving 2–3 inches from the base. This ensures you avoid the feather shaft’s quick.
  • Cut 6–8 of the primary feathers, leaving the outermost 2–3 intact for a natural appearance. The exact number depends on the chicken’s size and flight ability.
  • Trim in a straight line parallel to the feather shafts to maintain a neat look and avoid jagged edges.
  • If unsure about blood feathers, use a flashlight to check for dark, blood-filled shafts. If you accidentally cut a blood feather, apply styptic powder or cornstarch to stop bleeding and consult a veterinarian if necessary.

Step 5: Release and Monitor

  • Gently release the chicken back into its enclosure. Observe its behavior to ensure it’s not distressed.
  • Check the clipped wing after a few days to confirm the feathers were cut correctly and haven’t caused irritation.
  • Monitor the flock to ensure clipped birds aren’t being pecked or bullied, as changes in appearance can sometimes trigger aggression.

Also Read: How to Keep Chickens Cool in Hot Weather?

Clipping Both Wings vs. One Wing

One common question when clipping feathers is whether to trim one wing or both. Most chicken keepers start by clipping just one wing. This unbalances the bird, making it harder to fly, and it’s quicker, reducing stress from handling. For many backyard flocks, this is enough to prevent escapes.

However, some lightweight or particularly determined chickens may still manage short flights. In those cases, clipping both wings can help reduce lift more effectively and provides a more balanced look. The downside is that it takes more time and handling, which may stress nervous birds.

If you’re unsure, start by clipping one wing and observe your chicken’s behavior. If she still manages to fly, go ahead and clip the other wing as well.

Safety Considerations and Common Mistakes

Clipping is safe when done correctly, but mistakes can cause stress or injury. Avoid these pitfalls:

  • Cutting Blood Feathers: Always check for blood feathers before clipping. Cutting them causes pain and bleeding. If you’re unsure, clip only the tips of feathers or consult a veterinarian.
  • Using Dull Scissors: Dull blades can crush feathers, causing discomfort. Use sharp, clean scissors for a clean cut.
  • Clipping Too Much: Cutting too close to the feather base risks hitting the quick or exposing the wing’s sensitive skin. Leave at least 2 inches of feather length.
  • Stressing the Chicken: Handle the bird gently and work in a calm environment to minimize stress. Avoid clipping during hot weather or when the chicken is molting.
  • Ignoring Flock Dynamics: Some chickens may peck at clipped feathers, mistaking them for injuries. Monitor the flock after clipping to prevent bullying.

Alternatives to Clipping

If clipping isn’t suitable for your flock, consider these alternatives:

  • Higher Fences: Install taller or covered fencing to prevent escapes. Netting or wire over the top of a run is highly effective.
  • Wing Nets or Bras: These devices restrict wing movement without cutting feathers. They’re less common but can be a temporary solution.
  • Breed Selection: Choose heavier breeds that are less likely to fly, such as Silkies, Cochins, or Plymouth Rocks.
  • Environmental Management: Remove high perches or objects that chickens use as launch points to gain height.

Each alternative has trade-offs, such as cost or maintenance, so weigh them against clipping based on your flock’s needs.

Aftercare and Monitoring

After clipping, observe your chickens to ensure they adjust well:

  • Behavior: Watch for signs of stress, such as reduced eating, lethargy, or hiding. These are rare but should be addressed promptly.
  • Feather Regrowth: Check clipped feathers every few months, especially after a molt, to see if they’ve regrown and need re-clipping.
  • Flock Dynamics: Ensure clipped chickens aren’t targeted by others. If pecking occurs, isolate the affected bird temporarily and address the cause.
  • Flight Attempts: Monitor whether the clipping was effective. Some chickens may still attempt to fly, requiring additional trimming or alternative measures.

Does Clipping Hurt the Chicken?

No, clipping flight feathers is painless when done correctly, as feathers are made of keratin and lack nerves. Avoid cutting blood feathers, which are sensitive.

Will Clipped Feathers Grow Back?

Yes, feathers regrow during the chicken’s next molt, typically every 6–12 months. You’ll need to re-clip after each molt to maintain the effect.

Can I Clip Feathers Myself?

Yes, with proper tools and knowledge, clipping is a simple task for most poultry keepers. If you’re unsure, ask an experienced keeper or veterinarian to demonstrate.

Is Clipping Cruel?

Clipping is considered humane when done properly, as it doesn’t harm the chicken or affect its quality of life. It’s a standard practice in poultry management, akin to trimming a dog’s nails.

What If I Make a Mistake?

If you accidentally cut a blood feather or cause stress, stop bleeding with styptic powder and monitor the chicken. Seek veterinary advice if the bleeding persists or the bird seems distressed.

Also Read: Why Have My Chickens Stopped Laying Eggs in Summer?

Tips for Success

  • Practice on a Calm Bird: Start with a docile chicken to build confidence before tackling flightier ones.
  • Work in Pairs: An assistant can make the process smoother, especially for beginners.
  • Keep Records: Note which chickens were clipped and when, to track molt cycles and re-clipping needs.
  • Stay Calm: Chickens pick up on your energy. Approach the task with confidence to keep the bird relaxed.
  • Learn Your Flock: Some breeds or individuals may not need clipping, while others require regular maintenance. Tailor your approach to your flock’s behavior.

Conclusion

Clipping flight feathers is a simple and humane way to keep your backyard flock safe and where they belong. It doesn’t hurt your chickens, and when done right, it gives you peace of mind without messing with their daily routines. As long as you understand a bit about wing anatomy, have the right tools, and take your time, you’ll be clipping like a pro in no time.

Whether you’re brand new to chickens or have had a coop for years, it’s a handy skill to have. With a little practice and regular check-ins, you’ll keep your birds grounded and your garden intact. A happy, secure flock means a happier chicken keeper too!

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Medicare seeks lower prices for drugs, including Ozempic : Shots

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Medicare has started price negotiations for 15 medicines, including the diabetes drug Ozempic.

Mario Tama/Getty Images


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Mario Tama/Getty Images

As President Trump touts his own executive orders to lower drug prices, the Medicare drug price negotiations begun during the Biden administration are continuing behind the scenes.

Two companies – Novo Nordisk and Amgen – confirmed to NPR that they had received opening price offers from the government, kicking off bargaining that could last through October. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment on the status of negotiations.

Medicare is negotiating the prices of 15 drugs, including Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic. The government has until Nov. 30 to announce the agreed-upon Medicare prices. The lower prices would go into effect in January 2027.

“It’s a train that’s sort of moving along the tracks in the background,” says Ben Rome, a physician and health policy researcher at Harvard Medical School. “And it seems like the Trump administration has given the green light to kind of continue that process.”

Medicare drug price negotiation is still relatively new. Until the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare part D, which covers more than 50 million seniors, didn’t have the authority to negotiate drug prices. This is the second round of annual bargaining.

“Unless the Trump administration wants to sort of totally disregard the directives of Congress, then this process will continue,” Rome says.

The first batch of 10 drugs was negotiated last year and announced in August with price cuts ranging from 79% for Type 2 diabetes drug Januvia to 38% for cancer drug Imbruvica. The lower prices for those drugs are expected to take effect in January 2026.

Neither Novo Nordisk nor Amgen, whose psoriasis and arthritis drug Otezla is up for negotiation, would comment on the bargaining process other than to confirm that they had received opening offers.

On May 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued draft guidance for the third round of negotiations, which is slated to begin in early 2026. Rome says this action is a clear sign “the Trump administration plans to continue this program,” even though it began under the Biden administration.

President Trump has touted his own drug price initiatives, including an executive order on most favored nation drug pricing, which would seek to lower U.S. drug prices and force other countries to pay more for their drugs. However, the details of how this would work are unclear.

Project 2025, a blueprint for changing the federal government by the conservative Heritage Foundation that Trump has echoed in many of his actions, says Medicare drug price negotiation “should be repealed.” Until that can happen “an Administration that is required to implement it must do so in a way that is prudent with its authority, minimizing the harmful effects of the law’s policies and avoiding even worse unintended consequences,” it says.

How to Grow Carolina Allspice (Sweetshrub)

Here’s how:

Place dry seeds in a plastic ziptop bag, with all the air squeezed out. Some gardeners add sphagnum peat moss, which raises the risk of rotting and is best avoided.

Place the bag in the refrigerator’s main compartment for three months.

After chilling, bring the bag to room temperature before opening it.

Scarify the seeds lightly with a nail file, then soak them overnight in tepid water.

The next day, dry them on a paper towel and sow one or two seeds about half an inch deep in three-inch pots filled with potting medium.

Place the containers in full sun.

Keep the soil moist but not soggy during germination.

When the seedlings sprout their first true leaves, thin them to one per pot.

After the last frost date for your region, transplant outdoors as discussed below.

Suckers

As mentioned, suckers grow up beside the shrubs in early spring. You can dig these up and plant elsewhere.

Use a long-handled shovel to dig around and six to eight inches below a clump of suckers.

Lift the entire clump of earth. Transplant the suckers as desired.

Softwood Cuttings

Carolina allspice roots easily from softwood cuttings, the tender new growth.

To do this, select a fresh, leafy stem and cut a section six inches from the tip, making your cut at a 45-degree angle.

Fill a six-inch container three-quarters full of potting medium.

Pinch off all of the leaves except a few at the tip.

Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder.

Use a pencil or chopstick to make a three-inch hole in the center of the medium.

Push the cut stem gently into the hole and tamp the soil around it.

Water well, place in full sun, and keep the medium evenly moist.

New foliage indicates successful rooting, at which point you can transplant outdoors.

Ground Layering

Ground layering is the easiest way to start a new shrub.

In the spring, select a flexible, low, woody branch that bends readily to the ground.

About six inches from the leafy tip, girdle the bark in a two-inch strip about six inches from the tip, just deep enough to penetrate the outer bark layer.

Press the barkless section to the ground. Note where it touches and make a shallow depression in the soil and cover it with a mound of soil four to six inches deep.

Place a rock or brick on top of the mound.

By the following spring, roots should form at the wound. Cut the new plant free from the parent and transplant.

Transplanting

Whether you’ve grown a plant from seed, divided a sucker, rooted a cutting, or layered a branch, the transplanting process is the same.

Prepare a planting hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the root mass. Work the soil until it is friable and free of debris.

How to Enjoy Restaurants and Parties While Losing Weight

by Caitlin H,

Mar 18, 2024

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Undertaking a weight loss journey means adjusting your diet and focusing on eating healthy, wholesome meals. It also may mean incorporating regular fitness routines into your daily schedule. And it always means dedication and a commitment to a better lifestyle.

While there will be challenges along the way, one of the most significant you’ll likely face is navigating familiar social situations that typically involve eating out and diet-derailing food. The people who successfully lose weight learn how to navigate these social situations in a classy way that keeps them on track. And we can all learn something from how they do it.

 

1) They evaluate social situations ahead of time.


They carefully analyze each invitation to determine if it’s necessary to go, where they’re going, and whether they truly want to go. Is this a dinner with a friend they see regularly that they can skip? Is it a must-go event like a wedding, baby shower, work event, or graduation party? These are just a few of the questions they ask themselves before deciding.

 

2) They look at the menu ahead of time — and plan accordingly.


If they’re headed to a restaurant, they bring the menu up online and decide ahead of time what they will order. Are there any lighter meal options available? Can they ask the server to adapt a heavier meal to align more closely with their healthy eating plan? Knowing ahead of time what to ask for cuts back considerably on excess calories.

 

3) They ask for everything on the side.


Whether at a restaurant or an event with catering, they are sure to get calorie-adding extras like butter or salad dressing on the side. This allows them to control how much they’re using so they know precisely how many extra calories each item adds to the meal.

 

4) They pay close attention to their body’s signals by practicing mindfulness.


Most social situations that include meals involve lots of chatter and mindless eating. People who find success in weight loss can balance enjoying their friends’ company while also honing in on their body’s cues so they stop eating when they’re full. Practicing mindful eating when they’re alone or at home makes this skill set easier.

 

5) They never come to an event hungry.


The most successful people keep their usual routine by enjoying healthy meals throughout the day and even a snack before a get-together. That’s because they know that coming to a party or restaurant in near-starvation mode is an inevitable recipe for overeating and a healthy diet disaster.

 

6) They don’t drink their calories.


Alcoholic beverages, soda, and lemonade are often staples at parties or on restaurant menus. The best people who successfully lose weight opt for water or low-calorie adult beverages (think gin and tonic, for example) instead of sugar-laden, high-calorie options like soda or margaritas.

 

7) They put socializing first.


The whole point of going to a restaurant with friends or attending a social event like a wedding or baby shower is to enjoy time together. Successful people prioritize chatting with loved ones or work colleagues ahead of filling their bellies. They stand far from the buffet tables and practice active listening with each interaction.

 

8) They set boundaries when necessary.


Friends and loved ones often have the best intentions when they insist on dessert or sampling unhealthy things. The most successful people graciously decline and stand firm in their decisions, setting healthy boundaries and staying committed to their plans.

Ultimately, the ones with the most fruitful results come into social situations armed with a concrete action plan, and they stick with it. Imitating their habits is a great way to ensure you find your success level, too.

 

 

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Author: Caitlin H

Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.

 


Here are the nearly 2,500 medical research grants canceled or delayed by Trump

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Awards under $100,000 are not shown. Amounts shown are for the most recent fiscal year.

In his first months in office, President Trump has slashed funding for medical research, threatening a longstanding alliance between the federal government and universities that helped make the United States the world leader in medical science.

Some changes have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye, a New York Times analysis found. To understand the cuts, The Times trawled through detailed grant data from the National Institutes of Health, interviewed dozens of affected researchers and spoke to agency insiders who said that their government jobs have become unrecognizable.

In all, the N.I.H., the world’s premier public funder of medical research, has ended 1,389 awards and delayed sending funding to more than 1,000 additional projects, The Times found. From the day Mr. Trump was inaugurated through April, the agency awarded $1.6 billion less compared with the same period last year, a reduction of one-fifth. (N.I.H. records for May are not yet comparable.)

The impacts extend far beyond studies on politically disfavored topics and Ivy League universities like Columbia or Harvard. The disruptions are affecting research on Alzheimer’s, cancer and substance use, to name just a few, and studies at public institutions across the country, including in red states that backed Mr. Trump.

Scale is larger than in previous graphic.

“I think people should know that research that they probably would support is being canceled,” said Eden Tanner, a chemist at the University of Mississippi, who had been working with a colleague at Ohio State University to develop a novel approach for treating glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Their grant had been awarded through a program designed to diversify the biomedical workforce; in April, they were notified that it was being terminated.

“I would like to cure brain cancer,” Dr. Tanner said. “I think that’s not particularly controversial.”

Mr. Trump’s campaign against medical research has been carried out without congressional approval, and the legality is unclear. Lawsuits have challenged the slashing or delaying of funding.

Federal officials, who have accused the N.I.H. of wasteful spending, have attributed the cuts to changing scientific priorities.

The N.I.H. “regularly examines its research portfolio” to determine which projects are “the most meritorious,” Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in an email. “Regular reviews of ongoing activities will help us determine the most strategic balance of projects to support and the best way to manage them going forward, especially as we need to be responsive to the often-changing nature of biomedical scientific progress.”

Scientists fear that the sweeping cuts could do long-term damage to U.S. scientific research, which has long driven medical and financial progress for the nation. “The country is going to be mourning the loss of this enterprise for decades,” said Dr. Harold Varmus, a Nobel Prize-winning cancer biologist who served as the director of the N.I.H. during the Clinton administration and the director of the National Cancer Institute under President Barack Obama.

Publicly announced cancellations

The federal government has announced the termination of 1,389 awards, with more than $820 million in recent funding.

N.I.H. grants, awarded in a competitive process, are typically paid out in installments. A researcher with a $1 million four-year grant, for instance, will get about $250,000 a year. Scientists can use this money to buy equipment and supplies and to pay the salaries of the researchers who work in their labs, among other things.

From 2015 to 2024, there have been fewer than 20 terminations a year, on average, according to Jeremy M. Berg, former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the N.I.H. from 2003 to 2011. They were generally for extenuating circumstances, such as illness or research misconduct.

But since late February, the government has publicly announced the cancellation of 1,389 N.I.H. awards. The agency scoured grants for key words and phrases like “transgender,” “misinformation,” “vaccine hesitancy” and “equity,” ending those focused on certain topics or populations, according to a current N.I.H. program officer, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

Studies focused on sexual and gender minority groups were among the first on the chopping block.

Katherine Bogen, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, had been studying post-traumatic stress, alcohol use and intimate partner violence against bisexual women. The termination notice she received assailed studies “based primarily on artificial and nonscientific categories,” calling such research “antithetical to the scientific inquiry” and alleging that it was “often used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race and other protected characteristics, which harms the health of Americans.”

The language was “very insulting,” she said. “I get this letter that tells me, ‘Your research is not science. Not only is it ascientific, it’s a useless drain on resources, and, in fact, your research could be used to discriminate against ‘actual’ Americans or ‘regular’ Americans,’ or whatever they mean.”

The cuts spread to grants on health equity and racial and ethnic groups. Affected projects sought to improve access to mental health care for Latino, low-income and rural communities; to reduce maternal mortality among Black women; and to prevent gun violence in Asian American communities.

Tsu-Yin Wu, a researcher at Eastern Michigan University who led the gun violence project, said that community leaders and study participants were “greatly disappointed” by the grant cancellation. “Some felt betrayed that their voices and engagement no longer matter.”

The agency cut grants for research on vaccine hesitancy, disinformation and misinformation, including a Northeastern University study on cancer misinformation on social media.

It also axed research on Covid-19, including studies that could have helped the nation respond to many infectious disease threats. Among them: a grant to Emory University and Georgia State University, where researchers had developed three potential drugs that showed promise against many RNA-based viruses, including coronaviruses, Ebola, avian influenza and measles, said George Painter, a pharmacologist at Emory who was co-leading the research.

In April, the agency terminated, in part or in whole, more than 350 grants meant to support students, early-career scientists or researchers from groups underrepresented in science. Among these terminations were F31 diversity grants, awarded to Ph.D. students who were members of certain racial or ethnic groups, disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At the University of Pittsburgh, Luzmariel Medina-Sanchez, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and Sierra Wilson, a first-generation college student from Utah, both had their grants canceled. “It’s not even about the work I’m doing,” said Ms. Wilson, who studies how liver cells respond to drug overdoses. “It feels like it’s about me.”

Ms. Medina-Sanchez, who studies how a microbe can help treat celiac disease, said she may leave science altogether. “I feel racially targeted,” she said. “I feel like I’m not going to be a professional in the field of science in America, because obviously my name is Luzmariel.”

(Ms. Wilson and Ms. Medina-Sanchez stressed that they spoke only for themselves and not for the university.)

Delayed funding

In addition to publicly announced cancellations, these are the nearly 1,100 grants that have been delayed, with nearly $740 million in funding.

Awards under $100,000 are not shown.

Besides outright canceling projects, N.I.H. failed to distribute annual payments to more than 1,000 grants, The Times found.

The delays have stifled research on drug discovery, blood vessel health and injury response. In some cases, scientists have cut staff, paused hiring, trimmed back supplies or delayed experiments. Health officials have not explained which projects have been held up, why or for how long.

The Times compiled a list of the delayed grants by searching N.I.H. databases as of June 2 for ones that were funded in 2024 and expected to last beyond 2025, but have not gotten disbursements on schedule.

In the past, annual renewals were routine. Scientists submitted progress reports; the N.I.H. reviewed them and usually continued funding them, occasionally with a week or two of delays. But longer delays have become much more common since Mr. Trump took office.

Joshua Kritzer, a professor of chemistry at Tufts University, investigates the basic science behind potential drug candidates, laying the groundwork for future medications. Most of his lab work is supported by a five-year N.I.H. grant that received $1.4 million over the past two years. But since February, he had been waiting for the third year of expected funding to come in. He slashed purchases of essential supplies and contemplated laying off crucial researchers on his team.

On Tuesday, Kritzer finally received word that his funding had been released, several days after The Times asked federal officials about his and other delayed awards.

“Every week that’s delayed, it’s easily probably three to four weeks to get that research back to where it was,” said Dr. Kritzer, who noted that he was speaking for himself and not for his institution.

Mr. Nixon, the Department of Health spokesman, said that the agency would not discuss deliberations about specific awards but encouraged grant recipients to “speak with the designated N.I.H. officials on their award notice when questions arise.”

In some cases, delays have lasted so long that scientists wondered whether their grants were subject to a “shadow termination.”

The delays stem in part from additional screening for whether the grants align with Trump administration priorities, N.I.H. officials said. Other renewals have been delayed as overstretched N.I.H. staff members work through backlogs in funding. And political appointees are now vetting some projects, too, slowing the process further.

N.I.H. officials said they feared being fired if they processed a grant renewal that the administration disfavored.

In early May, Jon Lorsch, a longtime N.I.H. institute director who was recently promoted to acting deputy director of the agency’s external funding arm, emailed staff members denouncing the renewal of grants “that focused on topics that are not supported under N.I.H./H.H.S.’s priorities,” according to a copy of the email seen by The Times.

“The consequences of approving an award that should not have been approved could be very serious,” he wrote.

But Courtney Griffin, who leads a lab at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and studies blood vessel development and disease, including complications due to diabetes, expressed confusion as to why her expected funding is not coming through. She and her colleagues were making contingency plans and looking for other sources of funding.

“It’s, ironically, a really inefficient use of people’s time to be in this guessing game,” she said, adding that the time could be better spent on biomedical research.

Months-long delays are also affecting new grants that were being vetted when the Trump administration cracked down on grant reviews.

A number of major Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers, some of which have operated for decades, have waited months for the Trump administration to decide whether to award them fresh five-year grants. The funding gaps have set back ongoing studies and curtailed efforts to take images of patients’ brains, though the N.I.H. has recently told some centers that they would soon receive funding.

“These centers have become a safety valve for people who can’t get a neurology appointment at a private center,” said Dr. Ann Cohen, a co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s center. Now, she said, things have changed. “There are fewer clinic appointments, fewer opportunities for these individuals to get brain imaging.”

The N.I.H. has also said that it will no longer fund projects in which U.S. researchers distribute some of their money to international partners, throwing the future of many global health projects into question and creating funding delays for ongoing research.

Beyond the disruption of individual projects, other proposed changes could undermine scientific research across the board, experts said. One would sharply curb funding for indirect research costs, such as building maintenance and administrative staff. And then there is Mr. Trump’s proposal to slash the N.I.H.’s total budget by about $18 billion, a cut of almost 40 percent.

A budget cut of that scale would be “truly draconian,” said Dr. Varmus, the former N.I.H. director, who said he hoped Congress would not approve such a sharp reduction. It could leave the agency without enough money to fund promising new work, drive some scientists overseas and prompt some up-and-coming researchers to leave science altogether, he said. “You can completely destroy the system in just a couple of years,” Dr. Varmus said.

Methodology

The Times’s analysis of cancellations is based on the list of terminated grant awards published by the Department of Health and Human Services as of May 30, 2025, and on records from RePORT, the National Institutes of Health’s registry of grants and projects, as of June 2, 2025.

Each circle in the graphics represents a grant award. The circles are sized by the total funding that N.I.H. authorized for each award. H.H.S.’s list of terminations includes a mix of main grant awards, supplements and amendments. The list also indicates a “total amount obligated,” but that figure generally is the total amount awarded to a grant over its lifetime, including any supplements and amendments, rather than the amount for the specific award terminated. The Times’s analysis above uses only the amount authorized for the specific award listed. In some cases, scientists had already spent much of the money they had been awarded before their grants were cancelled, but in others, they lost out on their entire awards. Award amounts and totals — including the year-to-year funding shortfall calculated by The Times — do not include N.I.H. grants administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, because their funding amounts are not available in RePORT.

The Times examined cancellations of grants intended to train and support research by groups underrepresented in science. These include the R25 education program; the T32 and T34 training programs; F31 diversity grants; R01 research grants under funding opportunity number PAR-22-241 and research supplements under funding opportunity number PA-23-189, both of which are specifically intended to promote diversity among grant recipients.

To identify grants with delayed funding, Times journalists used information about each grant’s planned duration and prior awards, focusing on those that were eligible for continuation or noncompeting renewal. To account for reporting lags in the RePORTER database, The Times limited this analysis to a time period from Jan. 20 to April 30. The Times excluded grants that appear on H.H.S.’s public list of terminations and grants that have been marked in RePORTER as terminated. Based on interviews and an analysis of historical renewal data, The Times found such grants typically receive a notice of award at roughly the same time each year. Each circle representing a delayed grant is sized by the amount its main award received in fiscal year 2024. This list may include a small number of grants whose renewals are not yet recorded in N.I.H. databases, and others whose renewals are expected to be delayed, because of conversion of grant status for an investigator changing roles or institutions.

To classify each grant’s area of research, The Times extracted the title, the public health relevance statement and the abstract from the N.I.H.’s RePORTER database and ExPORTER files. These fields were used as input for a series of automated prompts to a large language model.

The model generated a brief description of the grant’s research objective. The model also determined if grants were related to research in areas like chronic diseases, vaccines, pandemic preparedness, misinformation, sexual and gender identity, health disparities and certain ethnic and racial groups, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and then assigned categories.

Times journalists read the projects’ public health relevance statements and abstracts, and they checked the assigned categories for accuracy. They also checked hundreds of grant descriptions and edited them for accuracy and clarity. Only the project descriptions that have been edited by Times journalists are displayed in the article.

Spring Greens and Purples in the PNW

Hi GPODers!

Yesterday we got an update from Beth Tucker, a frequent contributor based in North Carolina (check that out here if you missed it: Irises and More). Today we’re on the opposite coast to visit another friend of the blog, Lila Johnson, in Mill Creek, Wash. (Zone 8b).

Hello, it’s me again. We are experiencing one of our first warm, sunny mornings here in Mill Creek, just North up I-5 from Seattle, so after I enjoyed my coffee on the patio, I wandered through our backyard and snapped some photos . . . mostly green foliage!

My husband and I, both in our early 80s, have planted mostly geraniums, impatiens, and pots full of a variety of summer annuals. So in spring, it’s the green tones that capture our attention, along with some of our trusty purple clematises, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

Our geraniums, purchased in early April, had to be put inside the garage every night due to the chilly temperatures. We couldn’t plant them until just after Mother’s Day. Even some of the daytime temperatures were below 45 degrees! They suffered a bit, but they are finally full of buds and awaiting sunny days like today!

We have been inundated with hungry rabbits the past four to five years, and although we use more than 25 wire cages and some interim plastic fencing in the early spring, they have forced us to make changes in what annuals we plant—no more zinnias, petunias, or marigolds. They eat our roses, low-growing Japanese maples, conifers, deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), hostas, black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11), liatris (gay feather), and echinacea. So far, the rabbits have not developed a taste for impatiens or geraniums! We hope you enjoy our spring greens in the Pacific Northwest!

When the garden is still coming into color during spring, perfectly placed art can do some heavy lifting. These shiny silver salmon sculptures look marvelous swimming through Lila’s beds and are made even more spectacular by the chartreuse grasses that reflect on the salmon’s stomach.

shady garden path with small fountain on one sideIn the shady areas, I plant white impatiens, which are nestled in among the many deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), sword ferns (Polystichum munitum, Zones 5–9), hostas, Jacob’s ladders (Polemonium reptans, Zones 4–8), and Himalayan maidenhair ferns (Adiantum venustum, Zones 5–8).

green hedge behind garden water featureAnother look at this shady spot and the gorgeous water feature; Lila’s spring plant palette is calm and soothing, and the sound of running water from these tall fountains adds to the tranquility.

rock covered in moss and other greeneryWhen a plant pairing isn’t remarkable in color, textures and forms step up and show off. A small ladybug decoration is another touch of personality to make this vignette a little more fun.

blue garden orb surrounded by bright green foliageAs Lila mentions above, she mixes several different ferns for interest in the shade. The distinctly different western sword and Himalayan maidenhair ferns pair wonderfully with a chartreuse hosta. A reflective blue garden orb adds a cool color.

large bright green fernAnother perspective on a sensational sword fern

wooden arbor getting covered in purple vining flowersNot green, but PURPLE! It’s taken a few years, but we’ve finally got a thriving H. F. Young clematis (Clematis ‘H.F. Young’, Zones 4–9) established on the west side of our arbor. ‘The President’ (Clematis ‘The President’, Zones 4–8) on the right is in its second year—keep your fingers crossed! Along the 4-year-old gravel pathway, I like to keep the color palette to purples/whites for a cool, shady feel on those hot summer days that will be coming soon.

close up of HF Young clematisA close-up of the showy blooms on Lila’s ‘H. F. Young’ clematis. This plant is absolutely covered in these absolutely massive flowers, but I love that she opted for a different variety for the opposite side.

bright purple clematis starting to bloomLila’s ‘The President’ clematis is still coming into its own, but already producing a handful of outstanding blooms. And in the background, you can see that green and purple aren’t really the only colors to put on a show in her garden.

green pot full of green foliage plants and purple flowersThis year: white geraniums, purple liatris with purple heliotrope in the new lime-green pots.

Thank you so much for another fabulous selection of photos from your garden, Lila! Your sea of green is far from boring with the variety of plants you pair together, and the pockets of purple are like cherries on top of your lush designs.

What colors reign supreme in your spring garden? Is there a color palette you prioritize every year, or does your landscape flourish in green like Lila’s? Let us know in the comments, or consider sharing photos of your spring garden with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

 

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

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Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce (With Clean Ingredients)

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If you’re a sweet and spicy flavors fan, then this homemade sweet chili sauce may just be your new go-to condiment! It’s made with clean ingredients (no high fructose corn syrup here). Instead, you’ll find honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes for some kick. Sweet chili sauce is perfect for drizzling, dipping, or adding some sweet heat to your favorite dishes.

What is Sweet Chili Sauce?

Well, it’s delicious for one! Unlike my hot honey recipe, this one is cooked to help the flavors meld together. You’ll find natural honey for sweetness, coconut aminos and garlic for that umami flavor, and rice vinegar and lemon for a little acid to balance out the sweet. And of course, red pepper flakes for heat.

Since this is homemade, you can add more or less pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like it. The recipe also uses non-gmo cornstarch to thicken, but arrowroot should work if you need a sub.

How to Use Sweet Chili Sauce

This works great as a dipping sauce for things like chicken wings, but it’s equally at home with roasted veggies. I also like adding it to stir-fries to give them a little zest. Try it with roasted or fried potatoes or pork. It’s way better than anything you’d find in a bottle at the store (hello MSG!), plus you can feel good about the ingredients.

It’s easy to make and comes together in just a few minutes. And it lasts for up to three weeks in the fridge, so it’s easy to keep on hand to grab for a meal. Plus, it’s free of any artificial additives, dyes, or weird stuff, so you can have all of the sweet spice with none of the junk.

Here’s how to make clean, sweet chili sauce that can elevate any meal!

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

This sweet and spicy sauce is perfect for dipping, drizzling, or glazing!

  • In a medium saucepan, add all of the ingredients. Whisk everything together to ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before heating.

  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. This will help the sauce thicken and the flavors to meld together.

  • After 5 minutes, remove the sauce from the heat. Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken further. You’ll notice it becoming glossy and smooth as it cools.

  • Once the sauce has cooled to room temperature, pour it into a clean jar or bottle. Seal tightly and store it in the refrigerator. This sauce will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 61

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.03g0%

Saturated Fat 0.01g0%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.01g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.01g

Sodium 129mg6%

Potassium 15mg0%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 0.1g0%

Sugar 16g18%

Protein 0.1g0%

Vitamin A 50IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 3mg0%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

  • Keep tightly sealed in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Stir before each use.

Recipes to Try

Here are some recipes to try with your new sweet chili sauce:

Have you used a sweet chili sauce before? What are your favorite foods to eat it with? Leave a comment and let us know!

10 Reasons Why Tulips Are Not Blooming

Tulips make your spring garden beautiful, with its bright and colored flowers. But, it can be completely disappointing if your tulips are not flowering, especially after all the effort you’ve put into planting and caring them.

If your tulip plant is full of green leaves but no flowers, it’s likely dealing with an issue that needs attention.

Something’s off — and figuring it out is the first step to getting those beautiful blooms back.

Right from choosing healthy bulbs, giving enough sunlight, right potting medium, climatic conditions in your region and watering all impact how your tulips thrive.

Once you know what’s going wrong, you can make changes to help your tulips bounce back next season — or even get better results this year.

When Does Tulips Bloom?

Tulips typically bloom in early to mid-spring, depending on the variety and your local climate. In most regions, that means anywhere from March to May.

Early varieties can start showing color as soon as the snow melts, while late-blooming types might hold off until closer to the end of spring.

The bloom time also depends on when the bulbs were planted. Tulips need a cold period to flower properly, so they’re usually planted in the fall, before the ground freezes.

After a winter chill, they wake up with the warming soil and burst into bloom when the conditions are just right.

If your tulips aren’t blooming on time, it might be due to a delay in their growth cycle — or a sign that something went wrong during planting or overwintering.

Also Read: 14 Best Companion Plants to Grow with Tulips

Why Are My Tulips Not Blooming?

Source

You’ve waited all winter for those beautiful tulip blooms, only to be met with leafy plants and no flowers.

It’s frustrating — especially when you’ve done everything “right.”

But tulips can be a little picky, and there are several reasons they might skip blooming altogether.

1. Not Getting Enough Sunlight

Tulips are sun lovers. They need full sunlight — ideally 6 or more hours a day — to develop strong blooms.

If they’re planted in a shady spot, or if nearby trees or buildings are blocking the light, they might grow healthy leaves but never produce flowers.

Without enough sun, the bulbs don’t store enough energy during the growing season. This lack of stored energy means they can’t support the effort it takes to create and open up blooms the following spring.

If your tulips are planted in too much shade, consider moving them to a sunnier location in the fall for better results next year.

2. Overwatering

While tulips need water to grow, too much of it can be a problem. Tulip bulbs are prone to rot if they sit in consistently soggy soil, especially over the winter or early spring when the ground stays cold and wet.

When bulbs rot, they may still send up leaves, but the energy needed to form a bloom is lost. Make sure your tulips are planted in well-draining soil, and avoid areas where water tends to collect or puddle.

3. Poor Soil Drainage

Closely related to overwatering, poor drainage can suffocate tulip bulbs.

Even if you’re not watering excessively, heavy clay soils or compacted ground can trap moisture around the bulb, leading to decay.

To help tulips thrive, plant them in loose, sandy, or well-amended soil that allows water to drain away easily. Raised beds or sloped areas can also improve drainage and reduce the risk of bulb rot.

4. Planting Bulbs Too Shallow or Too Deep

Tulips are sensitive to how deeply they’re planted. If the bulbs are too shallow, they might be damaged by temperature fluctuations or fail to root properly. Too deep, and they may struggle to emerge or bloom.

The ideal depth is about 6 to 8 inches deep (measured from the base of the bulb), depending on the bulb size. Use a trowel or bulb planter to ensure consistent depth when planting in the fall.

5. Bulbs Are Too Old or Weak

Tulips are often treated as annuals for a reason — many modern hybrids don’t bloom well after the first year.

If your tulips were planted several years ago and haven’t been refreshed, the bulbs may have weakened over time.

Each season, bulbs divide and create smaller “offset” bulbs, which may be too immature to bloom.

Replacing old bulbs every couple of years, or choosing perennial tulip varieties like Darwin Hybrids, can help keep blooms coming back strong.

Check this: How to Make Tulips Last Longer in a Vase?

6. Cutting Leaves Too Early

It’s tempting to tidy up the garden once tulip blooms fade, but cutting the leaves too soon is a mistake.

Those green leaves are vital for photosynthesis, helping the bulb recharge and store energy for next year’s bloom.

If you remove them too early — before they’ve yellowed and died back naturally — the bulb won’t get the energy it needs to bloom again. Let the foliage fully die back before trimming it away.

7. Not Enough Chill Time

Tulips need a period of cold dormancy (usually 12–14 weeks below 45F) to trigger blooming. If you live in a warmer climate where winters aren’t cold enough, the bulbs may not bloom at all.

In these cases, pre-chilled bulbs (kept in the fridge before planting) or planting in containers you can refrigerate may be necessary. Without this chilling period, the bulb never receives the signal to produce a flower.

8. Overcrowded Bulbs

Tulip bulbs multiply underground over time, and if they’re left untouched for several seasons, they can become overcrowded.

When bulbs are too close together, they compete for nutrients and space, which can lead to weak growth and fewer blooms.

To avoid this, dig up and divide your tulip bulbs every few years in late summer or early fall. Replant the largest, healthiest bulbs with a few inches of space between them.

9. Pests or Disease

Underground pests like voles or bulb mites can damage tulip bulbs without any obvious surface signs. Fungal diseases such as Botrytis can also rot bulbs or distort growth.

Check bulbs when digging them up — if they’re mushy, discolored, or eaten, pests or disease might be to blame.

Using clean, disease-free bulbs and rotating planting areas can help prevent recurring problems.

10. Fertilizing at the Wrong Time (or Not at All)

Fertilizer timing matters. If you fertilize tulips when they’re already blooming or after blooming ends, it’s too late to help.

Bulbs need a boost just as leaves emerge — early spring — to support strong flower development.

A low-nitrogen, bulb-specific fertilizer can help tulips store up energy. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, as they encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. For the best results, feed tulips in early spring and again after blooming.

Must read: How to Propagate Tulips?

Tulips after Blooming

tulipstulips

After your tulips finish blooming, it’s important to deadhead the spent flowers to stop the plant from wasting energy on seed production.

However, don’t cut the leaves just yet — those green leaves are still busy soaking up sunlight and feeding the bulb, helping it gather energy for next year’s blooms.

Leave the foliage to naturally yellow and die back before trimming it away. This process can take a few weeks and might look untidy, but it’s essential for strong, healthy bulbs.

Once the leaves are gone, you can decide whether to leave the bulbs in the ground or dig them up for storage, depending on your climate.

How Long Do Tulips Typically Bloom For?

Tulips usually bloom for about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the variety and weather conditions. Cooler temperatures can help extend their flowering period.

Can I Grow Tulips In Containers?

Yes, tulips grow well in containers as long as the pots have good drainage and receive plenty of sunlight. Just be sure to use quality bulb soil and keep them watered but not soggy.

How Can I Extend The Tulip Blooming Season In My Garden?

To extend blooming, plant a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming tulip varieties and stagger your planting times. Also, keeping tulips healthy with proper care will help lengthen their display.

Conclusion

Its heart wrenching to notice your tulips aren’t flowering. But most of the time there can be a simple reason behind it.

Whether it’s not enough sunlight, improper planting depth, or overwatering, identifying the cause is the first step to helping your tulips bounce back.

With a bit of patience and the right care, you can fix these common issues and encourage healthy blooms next season. Soon enough, your garden will be brightened by those beautiful tulip flowers you’ve been waiting for.