Made a decision.... feels a little weird

[Flapjack]

I got Jack's wings clipped. She is almost 17 months old, and has never had a clip. When I was at the vet's getting Jack & Chino's nails done, I spoke to her about a mini clip.
Jack is an amazing acrobat- zipping this way and that. I LOVE to watch her.
I made the decision because often, she's stubborn when it's absolutely time to go back in the cage. Usually it's real easy, but it seems that if it's critical that she goes NOW, she knows it and is too quick for me.
She's also begun to find just the right thing she's not to chew and go straight for it. I'd rather spend my time enjoying being with her- not shooing her off of something. I've also been thinking about trick training, and she doesn't like to stay put.
I must say- my vet did an awesome job! Jack can still fly to me, but not zip around the room. And she still looks beautiful- not chopped.
The vet originally took 3 feathers, but after a test flight, we decided to take one more. Knowing my Jack, though, maybe we should have gone for 5.
I figure that although Jack is a cuddlebug for a minute or two before darting off, maybe we can have a little more bonding time now.
I still feel a bit weird about it. Not sure if I'll do it again, but we'll see.
Oh- by the way- Chino in my sig was clipped when I got him. Now he's got the most beautiful blue wings!!! He just doesn't know how to use them yet. I won't be clipping him, as far as I know, at all.

[linda040899]

Hi Jeni,
While birds have wings and are meant to fly, when kept in a pet/captivity situation, safety becomes a huge issue, as they are exposed to dangers they would not normally encounter in the wild. Kudos to you for doing what you feel is the right thing to keep Jack safe. He's still young and headstrong so sometimes measures have to be taken to ensure that they can't get into trouble. :)

[michael]

Very good decision on your part to make sure his flight was only limited! Its also nice to hear that there's a vet or two around that pays close attention to the owners expectations. My very first "avian vet" did an absolute awful job that contradicted my wishes for Goofy lovebirds flight limitations. Instead of a mild clip he was left "totally flightless". To this day I still feel that along with a good bout of giardia this compounded his tendency towards plucking as his activity level dropped to zero while becoming "too dependent" on me. My initial intent was to only limit his flight until I could bird proof the whole house and avoid losing him through a window or door. Since then I've only had to clip him twice and only for slowing down the little speed demon. He's always done so well to come to me or when it came time to return to his cage, although taking his meds a few times was a whole different matter :rolleyes:. Likewise though, provided I feel he's safe and won't run into anything the decision to clip may take on far less frequency or might become unnecessary. You know, we're so fortunate that with our knowledge along with an understanding vet the proper wing clip can not only keep our birds safe but allow them to enjoy their freedom as well.................:)

[lemonypickett]

I think you will be happy with the clip, but I bet she will be flying as good as before in a few days time! Eddie had 5 clipped on each wing when I got him and had to clip almost all of them to keep him grounded. Now that he has had his first molt he has two flights on the tip of one wing and one on the tip of the other. He can fly again! Only about 8 feet, and doesn't get height but.... boy those lovies are capable fliers.

I think you will find Jack (Jackie?) more manageable now. Good luck!

[Flapjack]

Thanks for the support, guys! :)
She looks like a baby. She has just the cutest feathers left on each wing.
She was very sweet to the Dr. and to her assistant and let them do the nails and wings with no trouble.
As far as Chino goes, I'd love for him to figure out how to fly, now that he has flights. It's pretty funny to watch him hover around trying to figure out how to pick a direction. Everytime I move away from him to do something, he tries so hard to follow me. Poor baby. I'm sure he'll catch on soon.

[Eliza]

I'm sorry but this has me in hysterics:


Flapjack(ie) (my male lovebird who lays eggs),

[Flapjack]

:rofl: Eliza- Yep- I'm still in denial! If you only knew how hard I tried to keep my little boy from turning into a girl...:omg: :(
Did you read my whole saga about 6 months ago? Quite a bit of drama :wink:

*** OK- new problem. I think Jack is upset about his clip. He's holding them funny, keeps stretching them out, keeps nudging them with his beak, kind of biting them, but not really. She seems really down, too. Hanging out in bottom half of cage (not the floor), kind of fluffy and whiney.
The vet said both my guys look very healthy and gorgeous, and commented on how athletic and active Jack is. If Jack picked up any kind of bug from the vet's, would it show up so soon? Or is she just depressed and not used to the change in how her wings feel?
I'm going to spend lots of extra cuddling time with her tonight.

[Cindy N.]

:rofl: Eliza- Yep- I'm still in denial! If you only knew how hard I tried to keep my little boy from turning into a girl...:omg: :(
Did you read my whole saga about 6 months ago? Quite a bit of drama :wink:

*** OK- new problem. I think Jack is upset about his clip. He's holding them funny, keeps stretching them out, keeps nudging them with his beak, kind of biting them, but not really. She seems really down, too. Hanging out in bottom half of cage (not the floor), kind of fluffy and whiney.
The vet said both my guys look very healthy and gorgeous, and commented on how athletic and active Jack is. If Jack picked up any kind of bug from the vet's, would it show up so soon? Or is she just depressed and not used to the change in how her wings feel?
I'm going to spend lots of extra cuddling time with her tonight.

Hello Eliza,

Give your little birdie lots of love and lots of new activities to do. One of my lovebirds started plucking after I clipped her wings.

Cindy

[Flapjack]

Jack is not a happy camper. She is a little puffy, off balance, and a little sad.
She is holding her wings up every few minutes and kind of nips at them.
What have I done??? :confused:
I have heard from others besides Cindy that their lovies had begun to pluck after a clip.
Also- I noticed a hint of torpedo butt today. Not positive.
There is no nest box, shreddables, or her coconut. Her boyfriend, jingle bell hasn't even been around.
She seems to be having difficulty getting used to the wing and nail trim all in the same day.
Poor baby- did I make the wrong decision?

[Cindy N.]

I think you should give her lots of chewy toys and shreddables to keep her occupied. Even, if she builds a nest and lays, it's better than having a bald bird. The only way I can get my Poop to stop is if I give her a nest box and nesting material. The reason I clipped her was that she was an escape artist, very good at hide and seek and tended to bite the toes of my other birds very hard.

Cindy

[wilkiecoco]

Jeni- i am going through the same confusion over whether to clip or not. Kiwi has not had a wing clip for over a year, actually since last May, and he looooooves to fly. He screams like a banshee (CHIRP - CHIRP- CHHHIRRRP!!!) the whole time, letting us know exactly where he is and where he is going.

Now with the warm weather, and his having full flight feathers, i am worrying about his safety with door opening and closing all the time (18 year and 21 year old sons -like a revolving door!!) a doggie going in and out. everyone is very careful, but I worry that one day someone will forget, and off he will go.

i WILL NOT give him a severe cut, but with a mini clip, he is still a great flyer. my family is pushing me to clip him, and while is for safety reasons and rationally i know it is the right decision, i still am conflicted, especially when i hear they can start plucking as a result.

what to do, what to do, what to do????????????????????
:confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused: :(

[Flapjack]

That's exactly my point! Everyone is VERY careful- but accidents happen.
The vet clipped 4 feathers on each side, but Jack can still fly very well.
So, either I put her through the stress of taking her back for more, or I just upset her for basically nothing.
The vet's office is 45 minutes away. She first clipped 3, and let her do a test flight. She ended up clipping another, but I guess it's not enough.
Do I take her, stress her out, clip her more, which could upset her more, or just bag it and let them grow out?
Grrrrr

[kk and tango]

It is a safety issue--they are so much safer when they can't get into things or fly into situations that are dangerous. My boyfriend's cockatiel was free flight for three years before she came to live with us and we clipped her wings. We were worried after a few close calls but still concerned about how she would adjust. She was actually not upset at all like we anticipated she would be. I think for her it was simply a dominance issue. Flying was not as important as being stimulated with toys and new environments to forage. Now she can still play and explore with our supervision (she sits on the desk or the playground nearby while we work).

So feel better about your decision--you did the right thing.

[wilkiecoco]

Jeni - if I remember correctly, the last time we clipped Kiwi's wings, the vet did 6 on each side. He was still able to fly, but much less distance, without gaining height. I suppose the idea is that if our birds got outside accidentally, they would not be able to gain the distance to get too far away. However, I also know that with just the right gust of wind, even a partial clip would enable them to fly the gust to the top of a tree.

I am leaning more towards a modified clip, 5 or 6 feathers on each side. His safety is uppermost in my mind, so for the summer months, i guess he should be clipped. (can you tell how decisive I am????? :confused: )

Jeni - I just wanted to mention that you can do the last two feathers yourself, without the stress of taking him to your vet. Just follow the lines of the other four, and clip 2 more on each side. it isn't difficult or at all painful, and is over in a second. I'll be thinking of you - man this sucks!! :( :x

[Flapjack]

Thank you Robyn! Wanna come over, give me a hand, and then have a few "beverages ;) "?
Then , next weekend, we can do Kiwi! :clap

[LauraO]

Thank you Robyn! Wanna come over, give me a hand, and then have a few "beverages ;) "?
Then , next weekend, we can do Kiwi! :clap

If you really need someone to help you clip Jack's wings let me know. I'm in Oregon City three days a week for another few months and wouldn't at all mind coming by to do it. I could also show you how to do it yourself so you don't have to take your birdies to the vet for grooming......I remember I was totally scared to clip wings for years, but once I started doing it I realized how easy it is.
:)

[LauraO]

If you really need someone to help you clip Jack's wings let me know. I'm in Oregon City three days a week for another few months and wouldn't at all mind coming by to do it. I could also show you how to do it yourself so you don't have to take your birdies to the vet for grooming......I remember I was totally scared to clip wings for years, but once I started doing it I realized how easy it is.
:)

We've been discussing doing a mass wing clip with our flock. Everybirdy has wings and it's very chaotic. The lovies are also much more destructive with full flight. Of course, there are certain birds who cannot be clipped for different reasons, but most can:( .

[Flapjack]

Laura :D , thank you SO much!!!
That is very thoughtful and it would be nice to be able to do it myself :clap
I'll pm you...

[wilkiecoco]

Thank you Robyn! Wanna come over, give me a hand, and then have a few "beverages ;) "?
Then , next weekend, we can do Kiwi! :clap

you, me and laura, slugging it out with the teeny tiny lovies. something tells me jack, kiwi and laura's could take us all on AND WIN!!!! Then for sure we would all need a few drinks!! :D

there is a thread that has pics showing how to hold a lovie while clipping. (anyone remember where?) it's fairly easy for me cause kiwi is not a biter. i can't remember if jack bites or not ( Hen - nippy - duh??? :( ) if laura can help you the first time, it really is not difficult once you get the hang of it. Good luck, and i'll let you know when the deed is done my way! :omg:

[michael]

There is a thread that has pics showing how to hold a lovie while clipping. (anyone remember where?) it's fairly easy for me cause kiwi is not a biter. i can't remember if jack bites or not ( Hen - nippy - duh??? :( ) if laura can help you the first time, it really is not difficult once you get the hang of it. Good luck, and i'll let you know when the deed is done my way! :omg:

Here's one offered awhile back by Jennifer (buy a paper doll). http://www.geocities.com/lizupatree/clip.html There's also a pic of how to just hold a lovebird in the LB resource library. http://www.lovebirdsplus.com/red.jpg Although the bird to me kinda looks as though he's saying "YOU CAN LET ME GO NOW!"

[Flapjack]

Jack got clipped on Tuesday. Although she seemed a bit unhappy, and nudged/nipped at them, it wasn't too bad.
However... I got home from being out for a few hours today and she was going NUTS!!!! Screaching, biting at herself, wings and feet, throwing herself around. I put my hand in there and she didn't know if she was attacking it or rubbing all over it. This went on for a good 10 minutes. She is still holding her wings out, too.
I trust my avian vet completely... but could there be a possibility that the ends of the cut feathers are poking her? Why did she wait this long to flip out?
I took her out and held her for awhile, then gave her a long bath. It was time to clean her cage anyway, so I changed some things around and added new toys to give her something else to think about.
I will NOT be doing this again. :(

[Cindy N.]

Hello Jeni,

Parrots generally have a good read on people, so I suggest that you don't let Jack know that you feel sorry for her. Do things as usual, except for extra toys and bathing opportunities. She will get use to it. But, it will probably take her some time, as she was flighted for such a long time. You can also let her out of the cage and let her fly as much as she can on low things to the ground. Lovebirds do learn how to adjust with a clip and she may be able to fly around well within a few weeks, but just not up or very far. Out of the 15 lovebirds that I do clip only 1 has had problems with it.

Cindy

[Jally]

This is exactly what Peanut does!!! I wrote a post about it not that long ago. He does get clipped, but it is for his own safety because we now have 2 Sun Conure's and we all know how lovies are...

Anyway, when Peanut tries to fly it is like his wings hurt him after a clip but he takes it out on whatever is close by...his foot, a toy, me, my hubby, etc. I think when he molts where he got clipped at, it hurts him. If he lets me, I try to rub the area but most of the time, he gets it worked out himself.

One of our Suns does this too and since she has only had one clip in her lifetime, we probably won't be doing it again.

I did call the vet and she said that it does sound as if it is a partically hurtful molt as it does hurt because there are barbs at the tip of the feather and if it gets worse to bring him in. It doesn't get worse, and it does get better after awhile.

[lemonypickett]

Eddie flipped out a bit after his clip, but settled right in. I had to clip 8-9 flights to get him to stop flying. Now he has 2 flights on the tips on each wing and he can fly again! Luckily he is still being manageable, so I will try and hold off as long as I can on clipping again, but it really had helped me with taming.

Good luck with Jack (ie)