Love the new bird...annoyed with the breeder!!

[TooDusty]

I recently got a new whiteface violet lovebird, just off handfeeds-he's just about two months old. He is going to be a future breeder, but right now he gets to be a baby and learn all about my lovebird "society".

I breed a pair of lovebirds and would like to hear from other breeders what you do about wing trimming? I let my guys fledge and become very confident in their skills. If their new owner wants to clip them, I do it several days before they go home so they get a chance to get used to it before they go home. I ALWAYS ask the owners if this is something they want me to do before clipping them.

The little bird I bought had his wings trimmed as soon as he was fully feathered. I was never asked about it. All of my lovies fly-so now he's trying to follow them and just falling to the ground. He can do little jumps, but is very unsure about it. He's in his own cage and he seems miserable. I happen to have two babies right about his age and he is great with them-but again, they fly and he has to stay behind.

What are your practices in regards to wing trimming? If you're not a breeder-did you get an option from your breeder? Also-is there anything I can do to speed up a molt?

For those of you who are going to tell me to post pics-I will asap!!

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by TooDusty

What are your practices in regards to wing trimming? If you're not a breeder-did you get an option from your breeder? Also-is there anything I can do to speed up a molt?

For those of you who are going to tell me to post pics-I will asap!!

Short answer: If i got a baby/juvie bird from a breeder that was clipped, i'd get in the car and return it, telling the breeder in graphic terms my opinion, and tell anyone i know to buy birds elsewhere.

[mommaof3]

I would do the same thing! That is not for her to decide for you. Although I feel badly for the little guy. It is now affecting his "quality" of life (not with you but with the other birds). And what if he gets hurt trying to fly? Technically it would be her fault right? I am not against clipping per say but it should definately be up to the owner not the breeder.

[menafu23]

As a general rule of thumb I never clip a birds wings until they have "really" mastered flying/landing. When someone wants to adopt, we discuss the pro's and con's. I usually tell adopters that a partial wing clip is a happy medium. The bird can fly but not gain altitude and it makes it a little more comforting for the new owner.

I think is very disrespectful/irresponsible of the breeder to immediatly clip the wings of a bird they intend to sell.

[diljaa]

That's terrible, the poor little thing! I don't think I would return the little one but I would call her and tell her this is not cool

[Abby]

I wait until birds are doing laps of the room, landing safely and consistently then do it depending on what the new owners want.

[LovelySydney]

With my lovebirds I got an option. I was at her home and she said "Would you prefer his wings clipped? Its totally up to you" and I opted to clip. I had the same option with Nko but not with Oliver. I think that as a breeder one should definitely ask the person who is taking the bird home, since this can be such a strong choice for a person who has a bird.

[TooDusty]

So there are some pics of my new little guy. I had him DNA tested as soon as we got home. His name is Rio (although Apollo was going to be his name until I found Rio) and it means river in spanish.

As for the breeder: she said she clipped them because she lives in an apartment and she said they kept hitting the windows. I don't live in an apartment but I also have lots of windows and my guys hit a window once or twice and then figure out that they can't fly there.

I'm really encouraging him to do jumps-but he gets tired quickly. My two girls have MUCH more stamina than he does. It's amazing seeing the differences between my flighted birds and the new clipped bird. Same age, but mine are curious, outgoing, and rambunctious. He just sits there until a bird flies next to him and then he plays with it. He already knows where his cage is and he lets everyone in to play!! lol

The reason I chose to keep the bird was that I need this guy to make up a new whiteface violet pair. There aren't too many breeders around. There is one pic that is of him and my adult whiteface violet male-you can see the big difference in their faces!!

[sailorkelly]

He is so pretty I love the colors

[Eliza]

As a buyer, I would ask about wing feather trimming before I made the committment to purchase a bird.

If I didn't agree with the breeder's thoughts on the matter, I'd look elsewhere.