Wings - to clip or not to clip?

HeatherDesigns · Jan 3, 2015

Some of you may remember my asking about traveling with birds in winter. Well Thursday we made the trek and I’m happy to say both birds seem to have made it through with flying colors. Thank you for all your suggestions.

The conure has an overgrown bill and both birds are desperately in need of a nail trim. I found a vet tech who makes house calls to do wing/beak/nail trims and she’ll even trim my dogs nails too. SCORE!!!

I’m trying to decide if I should get the wings clipped. Both birds have been neglected for a long time and I was thinking if they couldn’t fly then it might be easier to get to know them. On the other hand, if they can’t fly could they be more afraid to get to know me? I don’t know what to do.

Any opinions?

JerseyWendy · Jan 3, 2015

Wing clipping (or not) is one of THE most controversial subjects on the forum (unfortunately).

Please have a look at these threads, as the subject has been discussed extensively numerous times.

The first link actually contains a list of even MORE links.
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/42930-bird-wing-clipping-how-does-impact-bird.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures...g-his-wings-until-today-now-i-don-t-know.html

Sunset_Chaser · Jan 3, 2015

Wing clipping is a delicate topic, everyone has different opinions. By clipping their wings you will be able to work with them a bit easier and with their wings clipped the risk of them flying into a window/wall (out of fear) etc will be reduced. On the other hand if you have a dog or cat and decide to clip their wings you have taken away their ability to escape out of the dog or cats reach. Wing clipping is a personal choice, one that you need to make based on what will work best for your household. Keep in mind, if clipped correctly they WILL grow back.

HeatherDesigns · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks!

I think I've decided not to clip their wings. If I decide to do it later I can but I'll see how it goes for now. I do have two dogs that are much to curious for a birds good so the escape issue decided me.

thekarens · Jan 3, 2015

HeatherDesigns said:
Thanks!

I think I've decided not to clip their wings. If I decide to do it later I can but I'll see how it goes for now. I do have two dogs that are much to curious for a birds good so the escape issue decided me.

If you have curious dogs I would make sure the dogs are locked up or in another room while the birds are out. Being able to fly isn't enough to prevent an encounter.

Flboy · Jan 3, 2015

thekarens said:
HeatherDesigns said:

Thanks!

I think I've decided not to clip their wings. If I decide to do it later I can but I'll see how it goes for now. I do have two dogs that are much to curious for a birds good so the escape issue decided me.

Click to expand...

If you have curious dogs I would make sure the dogs are locked up or in another room while the birds are out. Being able to fly isn't enough to prevent an encounter.

I agree, I have two dachounds that regularly trap and kill wild birds, sometimes right in front of me! Much too fast! Even when I get to them before any visible damage, the little guy usually goes into shock and is dead!

veimar · Jan 3, 2015

It's a difficult topic indeed, but if these are new birds and have been neglected, AND you are going to travel - clipping is a great idea. I always clip my new birds (and almost all of them came to me neglected and not tame, if not to say, just wild), and then just let the wings grow after the molt. I love them flighted, but it's easier to tame and to care for them in beginning if they are clipped. I never clip them short, so even clipped they can still take off and fly some. Sometimes clipping is absolutely necessary in order to prevent the bird from injuring him-herself.

HeatherDesigns · Jan 3, 2015

I won't be traveling with these birds for a while yet. I have already gotten them to my house, the nail/beak trimmer is coming to my house, and it is going to be hideously cold for a while so I'm postponing their vet visit until probably spring.

I do keep the dogs out of the room the birds are in when they are out but just in case something happens I think letting them be flighted for a while is the best way to go.

MikeyTN · Jan 3, 2015

The vet visit should be done early not delayed even if it's cold. All you need is your heater cranked up in the car and blankets to cover their travel cage. It can be done! I used to live in South Dakota so I know how cold it gets up that way.

DoodlesMom · Jan 3, 2015

I totally agree with VEIMAR. My GCC, Doodle, was was abandoned with me by a former neighbor.
She was terrified of hands, untrained and quite the handfull. It was 25+ years since I had birds.
I made the decision to clip her wings so I could work with her. Shes come along way since she was abandoned with me!

Wings - to clip or not to clip?

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