should i get wings clipped?

[tielfan]

Because of the sight impaired member of my family, for me, it is not only almost impossible, it is TRUELY impossible to allow flighted birds safely in my home.

This is why so many people say that the decision to clip or not to clip should depend on the individual situation. Some people are in a situation where it would be pretty safe to have a flighted bird; some people are in a situation where it wouldn't. Whether a bird owner has clipped birds, flighted birds, or some of each, they have nothing to be ashamed of or to feel defensive about as long as (A) they actually thought about their own circumstances and considered whether there is any reasonable scope to modify those circumstances if necessary, and (B) they have chosen the alternative that brings the greatest overall benefit to ALL members of the household.

Every household has at least two members - an owner and a bird - and some have a lot more than that. It's important for every member of the family to be happy, and everyone may have to make some compromises and sacrifices to bring this about. We all want our birds to be as happy as possible, but not at the expense of their own safety or the safety and happiness of others.

[Cindy215]

Parrotjoe, sorry I just noticed you were the same guy about the birdproofing as the macaws eating the ceiling lol...sorry

I'd take a different approach in this case. See what overall changes you can make not just the chewing. Clipping wont get to the root cause, imo.

I have friends on another site with the same problem Including screaming at the top of their lungs. Everyone said it was hormonal. It wasn't. As soon as the people changed the sleeping schedule and followed a routine it stopped IMMEDIATELY. The door frame chewing was redirected to a bookcase with books to chew but they didnt even want to after the routine changed. All the neighbors thought they got rid of the birds the neighborhood was so quiet. Now all the people want to visit these calm happy birds.

I'd make sure they are getting a full dark night sleep. No lights computers tv etc. no human noises. following a natural daylight schedule including dusk and dawn. No artificial lights from dusk till dawn. A tired bird is an onery and cranky bird. Like a kid. overstimulated and cant get satisfied.

I'd focus on a consistant predictable schedule. You may not be able to I'm just saying what I"d do. Like this:

Up at dawn. Out flying around while you put the food out. They will eat within 30 minutes. That's all birds. Not just some fast food, a complicated breakfast of interesting things for enrichment and health. Grains, dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts, veggies. On a giant plate or bowl that will take them a long time to eat and mess with. That should be about an hour.

Then baths. In the shower or misting whichever they like. But a real bath. Not warm water, cooler. Then they will groom for awhile. And snack on whatever is in the bowl, seed or pellets whatever.

By this time, it's about 10-11 am. They will rest. OR play but probably rest.

By 12-1:30 they may want to come out for some enrichment or just play in the cage. I like that hula hoop DIY ball thing that is on this site. Maybe that would be perfect.

Between 2 and 4 they are wanting to eat for dusk anyway so they'll be "busy". Alternating with more playing. Usually this is a pellet/seed time. Or fresh foods if you are doing that. But they have to be the good ones especially for these big birds.

Turn off all full spectrum lighting at least by 3 one hour before dusk. Important.

4:00 it's dusk. At least in the Northern Hemisphere I didnt notice where you live. So they will be back in their cage grinding their beaks for bed around 4:15-4:45. Move them to the sleeping room by then, in the dusk NO artificial lights. That's very important they have a sensor in the brain that regulates the metabolism.

I know you may not be home all day or able to do all these things but they will work. Whatever you can do will help. The sleeping thing is number one. If you have to, you can simulate the dusk dawn with a dimmer and put black out curtains in the sleeping room if you want to change dawn from 7 to say, 8 but that's harder.

Hope this helps.