Caique Feather Troubles

[Jowelbg]

Our little Caiques were clipped when we got them about 8 months ago. We've been letting their flight feathers grow since then, but there's a problem that has popped up. Beaker is the least graceful creature I have ever known and has made a habit out of making everything into a crash landing. He'll grow one flight feather and then get it twisted around in a crash. As you can imagine, this has made him a little grumpy. Do you guys have any ideas on how to help him out?

The reason I bring up the clipping is because it looks to me (in my unprofessional opinion), if he had the rest of his flight feathers, they would support each other better. It would be harder to get them twisted. I've tried to help him get the feathers back in place, but this seems unfruitful and leaves us both annoyed. I've had birds before, but I've never seen this many feather problems. This happens on a weekly basis.

-Joel

 

[khaiqha]

This is a common occurrence with clipped birds. You're right that the other feathers would normally help guard a growing feather. I have seen online images of fake feathers attached to wings to help protect new feathers, but I don't really know how viable that is. My suggestion would be to learn what entices your bird to jump and limit those situations from happening. At the same time, practice controlled jumping with him. Put two chairs just slightly apart with a treat on the opposite side from the chair the bird is in. As the bird masters jumping from one chair to the next, it will get develop its flight muscles and get more coordinated. Slowly increase the distance the chairs are apart as the bird improves and gets more feathers in. This is how I trained my irn how to fly when it was growing back in its flights.

 

[Jowelbg]

This is a common occurrence with clipped birds. You're right that the other feathers would normally help guard a growing feather. I have seen online images of fake feathers attached to wings to help protect new feathers, but I don't really know how viable that is. My suggestion would be to learn what entices your bird to jump and limit those situations from happening. At the same time, practice controlled jumping with him. Put two chairs just slightly apart with a treat on the opposite side from the chair the bird is in. As the bird masters jumping from one chair to the next, it will get develop its flight muscles and get more coordinated. Slowly increase the distance the chairs are apart as the bird improves and gets more feathers in. This is how I trained my irn how to fly when it was growing back in its flights.

We've been working on some target training on the table. We'll try it between chairs. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[MonicaMc]

Khaiqhua, you are talking about imping. I know someone who successfully did it with a scarlet macaw using feathers from a greenwing, B&G and some hybrid macaws. This macaw only had one side with flight feathers and the feathers on the left wing continuously broke, so he could not fly. This resulted in him falling frequently as well. After he was imped, he only fell once! And with imped feathers, he was able to fly!

The story was absolutely amazing! And now, we wait for him to molt out his old, broken feathers (the ones that were imped) and see if his new feathers can grow in strong and healthy!


Joel, I recall reading something about caiques and flight... although I don't recall what it was. Sorry.

 

[Jowelbg]

I started the declumsification with the table. I had them jump a whole 3 three inches onto the chair backs and down. That went well for a couple of days. Climbing up and down the perch also went really well.

Today, I tried between two chairs. They have a cloth seat. The moment I put them down, they were like, "OH MY GOD! DO YOU FEEL HOW SOFT THIS IS!" They surfed to their hearts content and completely ignored the training.

*sigh* If they weren't so cute, I'd be frustrated with them.

-Joel

 

[mrgoogls]

i never really had this problem when cooper's feathers started growing back(they still are, but only 3 more per wing!). he is one of those birds that is mostly content to just sit on his perch. try just limiting how much the can fly(without you there or when u want). if he doesnt fly he cant crash right? haha

 

[Jowelbg]

They're a bit unpredictable at times. My wife came in and took off her coat. They're across the room on their perch with me and just freak. They fly about as well as a trash can right now.

We're getting better at limiting situations, but they still surprise me. On the upside, they really enjoy jump training.

-Joel

 

[Jowelbg]

...Put two chairs just slightly apart with a treat on the opposite side from the chair the bird is in. As the bird masters jumping from one chair to the next, it will get develop its flight muscles and get more coordinated. Slowly increase the distance the chairs are apart as the bird improves and gets more feathers in. This is how I trained my irn how to fly when it was growing back in its flights.

Whoohoo! We got a whole foot today! I finally found a treat they'll jump for. They think hummus is God's gift to Caiques.