Clipping wings

[yorkee187]

In relation to my previous post regarding nails, how many off you who clip your birds wings do it yourself? Is it tricky/risky? Should I try to learn or keep it to a pro?

[Ashling]

Watch a pro do it first, read a lot about it on the internet and find out the various kinds of clips and techniques before choosing the safest and learning to do it yourself. It depends on what you want... A bird that can glide safely to the ground but not gain height is the best. Make sure it is an even clip to maintain balance. I use the show-clip which is pretty (leaves the last 3 primary feathers) and prevents flight but allows an even glide to the ground. I have clipped my birds since I was 10, but there are a few things that can go wrong and if you clip wrong, there's no going back for a few months! Also, you want to be careful with sharp objects near a struggling bird. Make sure you have someone to towel the bird- this makes it easier and less stressful for all involved. After a while your birds will get used to it and be more cooperative. I can get my lori to just stand there usually for nail clips and wing clips (when she's not grumpy) but it's safer to towel them!

[Renae]

Yes, but it's better to have someone show you for the first couple of times (someone like above poster said a pro) and then you could see if you're comfortable doing it yourself.

I once in a blue moon clip, but when I do I always make sure there's 2 people - myself clipping and someone holding the bird. But this is what I follow.. (I only have 'tiels and mum's Quaker doesn't get clipped)

[chapala]

When you feel confident in doing it and can recognize and avoid a bloodfeather, you can do it yourself with someone to help and hold the bird in a towel. We have clipped the two of ours with clipped flight feathers ourselves since the first time I took my Grey to the vet and didn't like the clip he did. That's about 6 years, plus I clip birds for friends also.

[NotEnoughTime]

I've only ever clipped myself - but I don't clip very much off the primaries (about 3cm - or more if the bird can climb significantly) and I let them grow out in the winter... So I'm a "once in a blue moon" clipper as well...

Aside from blood feathers it is important (to me) that there is nothing nearby that can jab the bird if she goes into a panic for some reason... Flat table, towels and blunted scissors...

[jdlilfan]

I don't clip my conures. I have in the past, but our nanday is flight-trained, so he knows to fly back to his cage from the bed to go potty. :) I did recently clip my grey. I have my avian vet do it. I really didn't want to clip her, but our neighbors are getting a new roof and the contractors outside banging around has spooked her and I didn't want her flying around the house and getting hurt. So I just opted for a mild clip in which if she does fly, she's able to glide down safely. I don't ever do a full clip though.

[Ringneckmom]

Renae ans Ashling gave great advice on how to do it. I do want to point out though , that the show clip that Ashling uses can still allow your bird to fly so be careful if you use that.
I have seen my birds actually fly and gain altitude with only one of the outer most primary feathers.

Definitely don't try clipping by yourself until you have seen others do it and even then, clip around them first to make sure you are doing it correctly.

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by Ringneckmom

Renae ans Ashling gave great advice on how to do it. I do want to point out though , that the show clip that Ashling uses can still allow your bird to fly so be careful if you use that.

I forgot to mention Ashling is a great big fatty with little wings! Not literally, but lories need a lot of lift to get off the ground compared with other birds. My tiels and budgies have in the past gained altitude with their show-clips. You have to really assess each bird's abilities and potential.

[yorkee187]

Hey thanks for all the feedback! Everytime I go to the vet I watch very carefully and I know that Baby (Sun Conure) needs 7 primaries clipped to be safe but not get too far. I wish someone could actually show me one time but I'm not about to ask my vet (that would be awkward, wouldn't it?). I am not sure I can identify blood feather though My p'lette, I'm not even going to try on my own and will leave that to the pros.