Just attempted to clip Puck's wings...

[Remy]

I just attempted to clip Puck's wings, because he can officially fly now. Every time I mention it to my boyfriend, he pouts. He wants Puck to be able to fly free, but I tell him that I don't want Puck to get squished under a car, or eaten by something.

I let them grow out too much, because his last clip (before I got him) was waaayyy over-clipped, so he fell like a rock! Poor baby. Tonight he screamed and struggled like I was killing him, and every time the scissors touched a feather he yanked his wing back, as if in pain. I didn't get a single feather cut.

I'd like to let him fly, but he loves going outside and won't wear a harness, and will definitely fly off if something startles him. I think I am going to take him to a professional.


Today he was also in demon mode for most of the day, and I couldn't handle him. I put him in solitary confinement (my bedroom) while I went to work for a couple hours, and now he is an angel.

 

[cdog]

If you have the space I would say build an outdoor aviary, but I know not everyone has the space. My dad and I built an 8'L×6'H×4'W for about $150.
But the easiest is to clip. But I would say keep trying with the harness because flying really is the best thing you could let your bird do.

 

[IcyWolf]

If he already associates wing trimming with a bad experience it is probably best to have someone else do it. Or, you could towel him but it sounds like the whole experience is very upsetting to him

 

[Remy]

cdog - What did you make the aviary out of? We need to repair/replace an old aviary anyway. Having a second aviary for Puck would be neat. I like to take Puck places (stores, restaurants, etc.) so wing clipping is still practical though. Also, it's nice to not have to chase him into the next room if something freaks him out.

IcyWolf - He's afraid of towels! If I pick one up, he freaks out and tries to get away. I think it's because they use them to restrain them. I did use one though, so I wouldn't get bit. After I stopped trying, he seemed to forgive me though. He's the same way at the vet. If they do something nasty to him, he is cool when they are done.

My friend is a pro bird groomer, so I will take him to her tomorrow. I was going over there anyway. She has raptors. :-D

 

[QuackQuack]

Cdog - tell us more about this aviary

 

[cdog]

I used hardware cloth that I scrubbed with chlorine and vinegar then rinsed and left out in the rain. The support beams are 4"×4" and the cloth is on the inside so they cant chew the wood. Then I made custom perches out of orange tree branches.

 

[Remy]

Cool! I've been wondering what a good screen was. I was at the San Diego Zoo over the weekend, and their aviaries were covered with some sort of acrylic-type material. Any idea what that is? I'd be afraid Puck would chew through it.