Wing Clipping - yay or nay?

[Clara]

Afternoon all.
I gave into temptation and have just purchased a green masked 15 week old lovebird that was hand raised from 2 weeks but developed an independent streak as soon as it could fly leading to the breeders not being able to turn him into one of those super cute fluffy birds that just wants to cuddle up to you. I think he was more interested in chewing the photograph frame on the wall.

I've used wing clipping before on teils (though I don't clip anywhere near as close as books suggestion) to calm them down and aid taming them for the first week or so while they become familiar.
But I've never tried it on a love bird.

He (I say he, we've no idea. Haven't even thought of a name for him yet) is not scared of people but at the same time isn't tame - doesn't like you holding him or moving things in his cage. I hope in the coming months that we can change this.

Would you clip a lovebirds wings to help in the training regime? I would like to know from people who have tried it as well as those of you who are dead against it.

[linda040899]

Hi Clara,
I'm of the belief that wing clipping is strictly a personal choice and I'm neither completely for it or against it. It depends on the individual bird.

I do believe that a wing clip will help with the taming process, as it limits where your bird can go but that wing clip should not be so severe that the bird has no flight at all. You want to limit flight, not eliminate it. Your bird should be able to glide for a safe landing instead of landing with a thud. Once you have accomplished your end, you can keep the wings clipped or you can let them grow out with the next molt.

When I clip flight feathers, I will clip 4-6 of the primaries. More than that is rarely, if ever, necessary. :)

[Pips mom]

I think alot of times wing clips are very necessary with some birds, where other birds do just great without them. Lovebirds and their bold little personalities I think definitely need a little something to calm them down and keep them outa trouble! We've always kept Pip clipped! As soon as those flight feathers start to grow, boy can you see the difference in him....he's off and he's just lookin for fun things to get into, not to mention the fight he puts up going back into his cage! So for me, when getting him back in gets to be too much of a chore or takes too long, then it's time for a wing clip! otherwise I end up with a wild, crazy, out of control bird! :omg:
My cockatiels I do clip, but just a small clip to keep them from hurting themselves if they bang into something, and to keep them from flying off into other rooms. Ivy....she only gets clipped in the late spring for summertime because with full flight she goes zooming through the house and once it warms up and the door is opening and closing more often, I don't want to risk her getting out, so for the winter she has her flight and zooms around! but for summer, she gets a slight clip to keep her safe from getting outside. She starts her yearly molt in the end of July and starts growing all new feathers again by fall!

[Clara]

Thanks for your experiences.
The little devil (still unnamed - you must realise we're not all that great at naming creatures. The GoldFish were named Fish & Chips. I feel sorry for any children we have!) has spent a few hours sat with me on the sofa (mostly on my lap) snuggled up asleep and is now (after a protest about going back in his cage) sat happily on top of his cage. He is not at all happy about being picked up - something we need to work on - but it's looking promising.

[Pips mom]

I've never been good with naming my birds either! Luckily three out of five of them already came with names! My first bird took me six weeks to come up with a name! and Rudy about the same! My lovie Pip hates to be picked up! he hates hands in general, but he loves people and being on me and I can even put my face right up to him now and he never bites me anymore! Oh the face bites I have gotten in the past trying to get close to him! the lips, the nose, the cheek.....actually, now that I think about it, Pip rarely bites at all now......just little nips that don't hurt at all, and he never tries to get my face anymore.

[thebubbleking]

Lil devil sounds like a good name to me call him ld for short :)