about wing clipping - so if you don't like it, please keep opinions to yourself. :)

[Emmilyy]

Okay. i have come to the conclusion that in this house, with Cookie, it is too dangerous to keep her flighted. I've been thinking about this for awhile, and, beleive me, i want to keep her flighted. really, really bad. but i can't. its too dangerous. This house is TINY, she could get out so, so easily if everyone isn't careful (we have guests coming and going all the time..) AND she's too flighty.. not in the good way.. like, any little noise startles her, and, ZOOM! she's off. i wouldn't mind it, but she is crazy and hits doorways, any any other thing in her way. she flew too high and hit the roof a few times, and has flown into walls. I know that is very dangerous, and i don't want my baby hurt. It needs to be done NOW, and not later.

I think it was MissV who suggested a "show" clip.. what is that? the outer flight on each wing is still a blood feather, but i have checked again and again until i am 100% that they are the only ones. So i know i can't clip them, obviously. If i remember right, is a show clip where you keep the two outer flights, and then clip a few more behind them? say, 4?

also, i am comfortable doing it myself, well, with the help of my mom. I have clipped wings before and watched others do it, and Cookie isn't too bad with that kind of stuff, so i am confident we can do it ourselves.

does that sound okay?

[Jag]

I haven't a clue on how to clip. Sorry. However, I will say that after seeing that lovey that went blind after a head-on collision with a wall, I understand your fear! You do what you have to and what you think is right. Everyone's circumstances are different, and it's between you and yours!

[Emmilyy]

thanks, Jag. she is deffinately getting a clip. I feel horrible and guilty about it - but the most important thing is that she is safe.

[Emmilyy]

OH MY GOSH, YOU GUYS.

she just got spooked and almost had a BAD run in with the wall. me and my mom did the show clip thing, i couldn't let her keep having close calls! but then someone gave me a link and i read that i shouldn't havee because of there not being enough support. SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT!!! i feel HORRIBLE! LIKE SUCH A BAD PARRONT! as soon as the blood feather grows out i will have to clip it, too.. omg i feel horrible!

[sodakat]

Here is a great page to help you:

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Wingclipping and African Grey Parrots - Pet Birds

It's geared for African Greys, but the same principles hold on all wings.

The main thing to remember when you view the diagrams of where to clip is that they are showing you the wing from the bottom, with the bird lying on its back, and yes, they are cutting off all color on the feathers they cut, leaving only the shaft so there are no half-long feathers for the bird to groom. Using this cut you cut two feathers on each side then test the bird's ability to fly, then clip more if needed.

The pretty bird clip leaves the outer three flight feathers long while clipping the next 4-5 flight feathers, but some birds can fly with that clip.

Because Cookie has blood feathers in the outermost flights, you may want to wait until those grow in completely before clipping her.

[sodakat]

I guess we posted at the same time.

Yes, you'll probably have to clip the ones you left when they finish growing.

As you well know, feathers grow! Don't worry. You'll get a second chance at another clip!

:)

[Sandybottomsmn]

I am both pro and con feather clipping! My first bird, a sennie was attacked by a cat because she couldnt get a way, because I just clipped her wings that day and she died (long story) a week and 4000 dollars later after her surgery to open the wounds (oddly enough she actually died of liver failure because they never diluted the NSAID they put her on for pain ) HOWEVER....I have lived in situations now, where I was afraid of my birds injuring themselves from flying, so I gave them a mild clip, enough to get a good glide down to the ground, but not enough to get any pick up off the ground. I dont think there is really anything wrong with either. Mine are always super confused when I cut them after they have been flighted though

[Emmilyy]

yeah, i know they don't grow.. just lack of a better word, i guess.

I feel SO horrible and stupid though! i am a bad parront!

[kristen71]

I to went through this as you are. All my fids were flighted untill two months ago when my male ekkie Westly ended 25 feet up a pine tree due to the garage door being left open and out he went. My heart sank and didn't know what to do! I was lucky enough to be able to rescue my baby by climbing the tree (wasnt sure if I could make it down, I was so scared). Needless to say for the safety of my fid family, all 6 of them got wings clipped. I never want to have that feeling again! It is a personal choice, and I made this choice to help my babies. All six of them can still glide from cage to playstand, they just dont get the hight now. Good Luck to you!

[NotEnoughTime]

I think you will find with a "show clip" that a green cheek will still remain flighted...

There isn't much you can do to slow down a green cheek except to clip those pretty primary feathers that stick out.

I follow this article: Managed Flight, Not Wing Clipping
for wing clipping.

My girl currently has only three primaries on each wing (I'm letting her grow them out for winter) and can fly very well - and she's discovered the "whole world" (ie. house) again - it is wonderful to watch... And is practicing all the skillz she learned last winter...

Edit: Ooops - I didn't read everything - but yes - you need a few supporting feathers - one isn't enough.