What age can wings be clipped?

[wutsnxt]

I have 3 babies that are 9 weeks old. I didn't hand-feed because I never had before and didn't want to take the risk. I had nobody to show me. So they are now all over the cage with mom and dad and I want to handle them, but can I clip their wings yet? Otherwise they will just keep flying away from me. Should I put them in their own cage away from parents?
Amanda

[magdalena]

If they are already flighted and flying then I think it is ok to clip them and it's great that you realized you may not have been ready to handfeed and let them stay with their parents and also let them fledge naturally. I have exactly ZERO experience with lovies though so hopefully someone can chime in for baby advice.

[joeydgraffix]

Yeah I am wondering the same thing too. My lovie is 8 weeks old and I think I am going to just get her wings trimmed. Wondering if its too early to do something like that or what.

[mayaexquisite]

I would not clip them yet if they're only 9 weeks old. You want the babies to be FULLY CONFIDENT with flying before giving them clips. Also, yes, I would separate the babies from the parents if they are fully weaned. The time from the point they finish weaning is a critical "bonding" time and being separated from the parents will help. You should try to handle them as much as you can without forcing.

Yes, the babies will probably try to fly away from you while out of the cage - but that's okay. They'll eventually get tired and will go back to their cage on their own. Or you can take them to a room where they can't really get away. Go into a bedroom with the door closed or something. Some people choose the bathroom (toilet seat down obviously) if they don't use chemicals in there. They just really need to have a good amount of time to really fly and strengthen their wings before getting clipped and they aren't going to strengthen their wings just flying in a cage. I would say don't clip until they're at least four or five months old.

I would also like to commend you for not trying to handfeed!! There are so many people out there that think they can do it just by reading about it or watching a YouTube video... handfeeding isn't TRULY necessary and is really only to get the babies used to your hands from an early age. What is just as effective, if the parents will allow it, is to handle and play with the babies as they're being weaned by the parents. And again, the time from after weaning and beyond is crucial for bonding. Interact, interact, interact, play, play, play!!

[wutsnxt]

Thank you so much, the advice is great. I am going to separate them now and work with them in a small room. They do know my voice, I've been talking to them since they were born.

[Monica]

Try feeding the babies seeds or millet from your hand, so they associate good things with you. Don't force them to be with you if you don't have to. Although budgies aren't the same as lovebirds, I was able to get 5 flighted, non-tame budgies to fly to me for food, from 5+ feet away from their cage.

[bird man]

I think you should put them in seperate cages. and for wing clipping wait till their about 2 years old and get your vetrenairian to do it.