Clipping the wings?

[Fischer'sLB13]

hi everyone,

Can i have peoples advice please, my pair of lovies are not very tame but i can get just a little bit closer, however i have read the sticky's and books about clipping wings and i really don't know which way to go.
I know that it's not a permanent thing but it seems that it would help towards the taming. my heart says not to its not fair and my head say do it so i can get them tamed. :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Please can people help with useful help not soap box advice, sorry if this sound harsh but i need productive help..........:whistle:
I won't be hurt by anyones views and i havn't done anything yet.:happy:
I'm used to clipping duck and chickens wings so they don't fly out of their run.

thanks for reading..

[michael]

First. You must consider your decision to clip a "personal choice". ..While there are many who, for very good reason, insist birds should never be clipped, that does not eliminate the necessity in cases of escape or injury. ... As for taming purposes ONLY. ... Again, this is your personal preference. In my opinion, if done correctly, it can be of reasonable benefit, especially in cases of extreme aggression towards the guardian or another member of the flock. .. If it is for taming purposes only, then you have plenty time to make your decision. ..............:2cents:

[Dave_K.]

There are a couple of good articles in the Resourse Library. We have found our birds to vary greatly in their strength and capabilities of flight. So our practice is to clip only a couple of flights on each wing and observe how well they can still fly. If they are gaining much altitude we will clip the next one or two and observe flight again. We are very carfull to keep the wings evenly clipped and only enough to prevent gaining much altitude. I hope this helps.

Dave

[linda040899]

We don't "preach to the choir" here, if you know what I mean. We respect your views on this subject and understand that we all don't see wing clipping in the same way.

Basically, by clipping a few of their primary flight feathers (on both wings), you are not preventing them from flying. You are simply limiting how far they can go. I agree. It's only temporary and those clipped feathers will grow back as your birds molt. You will simply be making them more dependent on you to get to where they want to go.

The taming game plan does not change. Let them come to you.

[Fischer'sLB13]

I'm sorry if I have hit any nerves, I didn't mean to. I am on a ferret forum and they can get very preachy.
Thanks for your help i think for now I'll let them have there freedom unless taming really becomes a big problem, they have nearly 4 hours a day out of cage.

here's another question for you all, would tiring them out a little before i try to put my finger near them?

thanks again

[linda040899]

Our community is a bit different than most. Our aim is education, not trying to convince you that it's our way or no way. All birds are individuals and you have to deal with them as such. What works with one may or may not work for another.

would tiring them out a little before i try to put my finger near them?
Probably not. :) Gaining their trust is the only way to do it. You may find that they love to sit on you but will bolt if you try to touch them. A number of our members have that situation. I have an African Grey who's like that. She's been with me since 1991 and she's still the original touch me not. It's never going to change unless she wants it to so I deal with her on a verbal interaction basis. I have a lot of fun with her and I respect her wishes.

[personatus]

A light clip does the world of good for taming a lovebird, imo. They will grow back in when they moult in spring. I clip so they can fly but not gain height....find they will start relying more on you to help get them around then!

[Bill's Birds]

I clipped my rescued Lovebird until we were bonded enough that she stays with me. My parakeet is a little demon, and has to be clipped, or who knows where she'll end up! It also helps with my other rescues. The feathers grow back, so no harm done.