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"OH NO! So have I destroyed my bird?"
This is exactly the type of panic that issues surrounding bird keeping tend to generate. I'm guilty of panicing over several things myself after reading things on the net. And yes, that is my question as well...have we crippled our birds for life?
Alot of what's written tends to be from people who are trying to put forth their personal cause so whether it's about weaning, diet, fledging, sometimes the authors do go overboard in trying to scare you. It's important to know the author and thier qualifications and research.
The more I research the more cofusing it gets though. One thing that is obvious is that alot of what you read is people recounting thier own experiences and that's fine-that's all we've got sometimes. I would love to have some medical/scientific artilce stating "truths" about birdkeeping. But, it seems birdkeeping is more or an art than a science. And there are many factors that influence a companion birds happiness. Even though my particular concern right now is the question of fledging.
I do believe that fledging is better although I have two birds that have been clipped since day one and they seem happy and well adjusted. I really wanted to experience the joy of watching my bird fledge (whether I was eventually going to clip or not) and am disappointed to be denied that experience. It would be ok if I had some assurance that she's not mentally "damaged" even though I know she can be completely happy as a companion bird.
I do believe our birds as their wings grow in can learn to fly accurately and get needed exercise.There are many people who've let their birds wings grow in. Some are even free-flying.
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