Clipped and got worst.

[minkie]

hello! im new here, and i have a 3 months old lovie, Peachie. at first when it is not clipped it will fly around the highest points of my room and was happy! didnt have much trouble putting it back into the cage with the help of a basket. But i still went ahead and clipped its wings for safety/training purposes, however it began crashing into walls, etc. and i took it to the vet. it used to be happier and more active and not scared of my hands (will rub against them and will not run away), now its really sad and scared. since at the wing clip and vet it was grabbed. i feel so guilty i really hope Peachie will forgive me soon. what shld i do?

a picture: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/minkyhow/Chi%20Chi/DSC_1520.jpg

[michael]

Poor little guy. .. Really, its not unusual for birds to be a bit reckless or frightened right after a wing clip. If you can, find a room with not too many obstacles. .. Stay calm, spoil him with treats etc. After a couple days, he should become more stable. .. Let us know how it goes. .......:)

[linda040899]

How many flight feathers were clipped on each wing? Again, like Michael said, it's unusual for a bird to fly into walls following a flight feather clipping. The object is to limit flight but if the clip isn't done properly, you do more damage than you do good. Surprisingly, many vets don't know how to properly clip the wings of parrots!

[minkie]

thanks michael and linda for the advice! luckily it is still eating.
it seems to be napping alot too, i wonder if its okay?
here's a pic of its wings, http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/minkyhow/Chi%20Chi/380191_10151654020390162_943027015_n.jpg

judging from the pic it is clipped around 6 feathers. it still can lift up to a metre or so.

[michael]

Like Linda mentioned, its important their wings get clipped the right way. Besides clipping too much off, ya don't want to leave any sharp points either. .. So yes, clipping sure can slow them down a bit. As long as he has access to everything though, it shouldn't affect eating. And of course, his wings will grow back. .. I must say, Peachie looks as curious as a lovebird should be! ........:)

[canarysanctuary]

I've had my Elbie for just over a year now.
I was advised to get his wings clipped for safety, so took him to the vet.

His behaviour changed immediately. He was clearly unhappy, and frightening of me.

Once his flight feathers grew back in he began to be tame. He could come to me on his own terms, and now he likes to snuggle and be pet!

I'll never clip his wings again, not because it's "cruel", but because it seemed to depress him! But, he did get over it.

[linda040899]

I'm glad that Elbie is back to being a lovable, snuggly lovie again! Flight feather clipping affects different birds in different ways and it's not for every parrot. It's about keeping them happy, as well as safe... :)

[light487]

My lovie had his wings clipped from a very young age.. he is still very young now even (11 weeks).. so I guess he is used to having them clipped... I could understand if he was used to having full flight and then having them clipped, they can adjust and in a domestic environment where everything you do is cared for, it would be a lot more manageable etc... but it still is taking away a form of movement that was previously had...

Even without humanising the subject (ie. like cutting off legs.. which of course it's not the same thing at all) it would make a bird feel a lot less safe, even if it is in the same safe environment it was in prior to the clip. It can't fly away and hide in the same way as before, so of course the bird would be feeling a lot more venerable etc.

Just need to give them some time and make sure they feel extra safe and can still have access to all the same things.. should come around.

[minkie]

thank you everyone, peachie is better now, he (or she?) is active and curious again. but it started biting :(