Wing Clipping

[KiwiAndGuava]

Ok so I have decided to clip my lovie's wings, but I'm not really sure how to towel them? The vet caught them easily in their cage but I tried and couldn't. I also want to make sure they aren't too stressed and will still love me after I do :)

[KiwiAndGuava]

Anyone have advice for catching/towelling?? Thanks! :)

[linda040899]

It's usually easier to clip flight feathers if you have one person hold and the other one clip. For one person, use a small hand towel and catch the lovebird from the back. That way you can fold the towel underneath him so you can work with which ever wing you want to start with. When one wing is done, adjust the towel so you can work with the other wing. Cut just below the covert feathers and follow their line. Usually, 5-6 primaries will limit flight well enough. If not, you can go to 8, depending on how strong their wing muscles are.

One thing to be careful of is not to restrict movement in the chest area. Parrots need to expand the chest area in order to breathe. If they can't do this, they suffocate.

[mstomcat65]

It's now almost mid March here in MN and the weather is above average in temperature. We have been in this apt for one year (as of March 1) and lacey is very comfortable flying anywhere in our home. When we first moved in she would pretty much stay in an area until I moved her. This apt has 2 balconies, one on each side of our apt which is really nice but can be very scary too. Lacey has NO fear of anything around here (other then a 2 wheel dolly lol totally flips her out) and she flies by the doors if we go near them. What i'm wondering is can I just clip 3 feathers on each side, will it do any good? or do I need to clip more like 4 or more. She goes into closets now looking for a favorite blanket that seems to disappear and end up in the laundry lol, she's not very happy about that and goes looking for it to the point she flies into my bedroom in the dark. I'm afraid she don't see good enough in there and will fly into something. I have been closing the door lately so i'm hoping she gets the point that she's not allowed in there.

thanks in advance :)

[linda040899]

I can understand your concern for Lacey's safety!!! Alex, my BFA, has been doing something similar lately and I'm not happy about it. They live in captivity and have a propensity for getting into places that will get them into trouble! I'm considering the same thing right now.

What you can do is try 3-4 and see how she does. You want to limit where she can go so I tend to do the limitation slowly. You can always clip one more on each side until she has the flight ability that makes you comfortable. You may try 2-3 initially.

[mstomcat65]

thanks linda :) Since about Christmas time she's been really become quite bold about things that before she was either scared of or at least more timid about getting close them. Another danger I have found (if you want to call it one) is she has a toe fetish with my toes. During the winter I usually where socks, sometimes 2 pair together if its windy and the floor is drafty. I have been going barefoot lately and she literally flies to the floor or climbs down my leg to get to my toes. She is obsessed with feeding them. I have to be aware at all times where she is so I don't step on her. Aren't birds supposed to be afraid of being on the floor?!? lol I was looking at her wings and I noticed she has the third one that hasn't molted out and regrown, seems weird to me when all the others have been back for at least 6 months. Maybe she'll lose that one with the next molt?

[linda040899]

Parrots are not supposed to like being on the floor, but as I've found with mine, they will go there if what they want is on the floor! I've learned to look down and do the "parrot shuffle" all the time. Too bad she likes toes instead of fingers. Fingers are safer. I wonder if a spray bottle of water would deter her? Harley and Ginger LOVE walking around on the floor, but they are my only 2 that do. Of course, what they want to chew up is at floor level! >:

No all feathers grow back at the same time. They grow back faster if they are plucked but if clipped, all you can do is wait. All feathers are completely molted in a 12 month period, or they are supposed to be........

[Z28Taxman]

Parrots are not supposed to like being on the floor, but as I've found with mine, they will go there if what they want is on the floor! I've learned to look down and do the "parrot shuffle" all the time. Too bad she likes toes instead of fingers. Fingers are safer. I wonder if a spray bottle of water would deter her? Harley and Ginger LOVE walking around on the floor, but they are my only 2 that do. Of course, what they want to chew up is at floor level! >:

No all feathers grow back at the same time. They grow back faster if they are plucked but if clipped, all you can do is wait. All feathers are completely molted in a 12 month period, or they are supposed to be........

Ditto hated being on the floor. If he ended up there he froze in place. Even if I sat on the floor and called for him to come to me, nope. I had to go get him. If he was perched on my foot while I was lying on the couch and put my food down to the floor, he wouldn't stay there. Once he got to within 6 inches of the floor he flew to my hand. :happy:

[mstomcat65]

lacey has NO fear of the floor. she goes from chasing the dog, running after me til i get to far ahead then she flies the rest of the way lol. she looks like a little road runner trying to catch up with those short little legs. she has gone as far as cheating and riding on the dogs back lol. poor dog just looks at me like.. "mom, get that thing off of me". her latest thing is to play in the laundry as i'm sorting it on the floor. so yeah i think she is similar to having a human 2 year old at all times. I am still debating the wing clipping deal, i really don't want to do it, i think she's happier being able to fly but i am forever worried about her getting near those doors and her getting out.