First Time Out of the Cage

[calico jack]

I got my first bird, Jack, a Lovebird yesterday. Here are some pictures of the little guy.


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[URL]http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/7421/img00033mn1.jpg (http://img395.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00033mn1.jpg)

I decided this morning that I wanted to get his wings clipped. I called a groomer and she was charging $70! to clip his wings. I didn't want to pay that much so I went to the pet shop I bought him at. The girl who sold him to me demonstrated wing clipping on a bird and assured me I could do it just as easily.

So anyway I got home and took him out of the cage while holding him with a towel. He was struggling to get out and obviously didn't like it. So after a minute or two I clipped his wings no problem. I let him run around on the floor for a bit to make sure I did it right. I did and he cant gain lift anymore but can slow down to land.

Anyway after he ran away from me for a while I picked him up with the towel again. I held him gently in my hands and petted his head. At first he was really trying to bite me but after a minute or two started to relax. Almost to the point of falling asleep in my hands!

After wards I put him back in his cage. I think he had a pretty successful first outing. How about you?

[michael]

Well, I will say its good to hear nobody got left with any injuries! For one thing, our little lovies have very powerful beaks which can easily take out a chunk of flesh :omg:! For another, great harm can come to a lovebird in a matter of seconds if their not handled with great care :(. Mostly, I think you were done a terrible disservice in two ways. One, with the price of $70 (10-15 is the going rate). The other, and "most importantly", the directives you were given towards administering a first time wing clip.

More often than not, young birds don't need a wing clip so early on. Only if there's an issue regarding their safety. As for taming, this really takes more time to deem a necessary option whereas over a reasonable course of trial and error there's left little doubt it may then be of some benefit. What should have transpired, was that the girl who sold him to you should have assisted in showing you how to clip your birds wings instead of sending you home to accomplish this on your own. Regardless whether you felt capable or not, this would have been by far the best way to keep your bird safe and secure. Besides the stress of Jack being in a new environment, that coupled with the stress of having his wings clipped is heavy for a small bird confronted with so many different/scarey changes. All it would have taken is an accidental cut of a blood feather, and you and Jack could have been left helpless.

Although its good to hear Jack finally settled down enough to almost fall asleep in your hand, more than successful, I think you and Jack are two very lucky individuals. And while I will at least compliment you on your enthusiastic approach to managing the care of your new lovebird (he's a very pretty lovie by the way :)), I'm hopeful you will show the same towards reviewing the "Lovebird Resource Library" and scroll down to the "MUST READS". There you will find Robins new owners guide thats a good place to start. Asking questions before taking action (even for those with experience) can play an important role in helping to provide the best possible care for our precious companions. Please, feel free to ask them ahead of time!..........And thanks for the pics!.................:)

[lemonypickett]

Michael,

You can get a lovie for $10 in OH? Wow! I thought that I got a steal on Eddie for $65 out here in good 'ol Massachusetts.

Of course with vet checks, toys, food (better than my own often) and cages ... he's the million dollar bird ;)