I see your point, Kentuckienne, but I also have to worry about her breaking a blood feather, especially when I'm not home. She is just rough when she plays with her toys, and likes to hang from them flapping, occasionally hitting her wings on perches, the side of her cage, the top of her cage, etc. The vet said that when they grow in one at a time, they are much more prone to breaking, especially in the middle or end of a clip, because there are no other feathers to help support the shaft. So far, when she's broken them off, it's been after they are fully in and the vein has retreated. I just don't know if I want to continue taking the risk. On the other hand, I don't know if I want to take the risk of pain or infection by having a group of them pulled. Although, at least they would be pulled by an avian vet, so he knows how to pull them safely.
RE-flighting a Parrot that has been clipped would seem to be a fairly straight foreword process. Let the Wing feather grow in and boom they take off! Well, as Chicken has proven, its not that simple.
Staying with the Wing clip style that are specific to the Primary feathers only and than only to either the leading edge of the far inside edge of the Primary feathers. Most individuals that clip Wings clearly need to be well trained in both the Science and the 'Art' of clipping Wing feathers.
The simplest cut and preferred by near everyone is to cut the leading edge Primary wing feathers. Its fast, easy and most owners prefer it because it takes longer for those feathers to regrow and therefore saves the owner a trip to the Avian Vets office. So, saves money and is fast, got to Love it correct? NO! The problem that Chicken is having now is the loss of New Growth Primary Feathers that are unsupported! This is very Common Problem with this style of Clip since the new feather are commonly unprotected /supported by other feathers. Breaking a Blood feather is likely!
The other Clip is commonly referred to as a Presentation Clip, because it is commonly used with Show Birds. The down side of this Clip is that it requires additional /more 'inside' Primary feathers to be Clipped to obtain the same results. It is also more difficult to preform since the starting point is just after the last Secondary feather next to the Primary feathers and then cutting toward the outer feathers. This group of feathers are less exposed and as a result tend to have much fewer problems with breaking a blood feather.
The Segment referenced in a Post above can be found in the Amazon Forum, in the Thread that starts: I Love Amazons .... found near or at the top of the Forum. The Segment has to do with Re-Fledging an Adult (Older) Amazon. In it you will find a discussion on 'Forcing' Flight Feathers to regrow outside of their normally schedule replacement.
Forcing Flight Feathers to Regrow: This is to be done 'ONLY' by an Avian Vet. The process is consider by NON-trained individuals to be a simple process of pulling the cut wing feather and letting Nature take its course. NOT a good idea!
With that now said, if you choose to take this route, please take the time to read that Segment as it will provide you general information as to what your AV will likely do and provide your Parrot and additional product for you to take home and apply. Your AV will start with the inside most feather or two (balance on both Wings). Once those feather are in, the next two will be selected.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!
Hope that this helps!
STOP: Sorry, but I had referenced the wrong Segment above - Please see Page 6 and that Segment Titled: Recovering Critical Flight Feathers!
