wing clipping/molting question

[felisdomesticus]

sorry for the new thread. I thought I started one awhile back asking about how to determine when a bird needs to be clipped.

Scarlett came to us clipped back in June. she has shredded the ends of those clipped wings but thank God never became a plucker or barberer. Anyway, she has been going through a molt the past few weeks--new tail feathers, chest feathers, all across her back, etc.

Anyway, the ratty old feathers are still there. Will she pull them out when new flight feathers grow in? She will not allow me to get a good look at her wings--which is understandable when we remember she wasn't handled for her first 2 years. I was thinking that I didn't have to worry about clipping her until the old ones came out. Is that wrong?

thanks!

[Monica]

She may only need to be clipped once she starts getting lift and has had it for atleast two weeks, because if you start to clip too soon before the feathers have a chance to grow in completely, you'd only clip blood feathers... it's a good idea however to let her fly for a while before clipping them so that she can retain her strong flight muscles. I cannot say how she will treat the new feathers however...

[The Outlaw]

Clipping Ekkie feathers is an art because they do tend to pluck whenever they aren't comfortable. You can do a chevron clip that will lessen the irritation against the body. Its a two man job to do it safely. Have someone hold her in a towel and extend the wing. Point your scissor points on an angle and cut a V shape in the end of the feather. This will give a swallow tail look to the feather end. By making the shaft shorter than the barbs, the ends of the feathers are less irritating. I used to clip Mai Tai's wings like that and really should again, since she started her seasonal plucking again this week (GRRR). Makes me nuts