Kermit's getting her flight feathers !

[IndySE]

The day has finally come.
At about 9 months old, I discovered 3 flight molted flight feathers at the bottom of her cage; or maybe 4 and I can't find the 4th, because I figure they molt symmetrically. I figure I have all of a month until they're all grown in.

This is the day I've been somewhat dreading, because it means I have to make a decision D: I've tried getting her to warm up to a flight harness, but she hates getting her head in the tiny hole and I haven't even had the heart to try tightening it around her yet Been considering getting a flight suit to see if that's easier for her. Ideally I'd like her to continue enjoying outside time in our backyard.

I hate seeing her with the clip she has now because I feel like it does barely more than soften her fall. Sometimes I think she comes down too hard. I'm thinking I'll go with a partial clip so I won't have to worry about her hitting windows too hard and gaining too much altitude into unsafe places in the house, but at the same time getting some softer landings.

Does anyone have experience with partial clips ?

Regardless, this little miss is growing up Our next chapter will be the dreaded *gasp* hormones...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Even with a full clip, a bird can still fly like the wind ESPECIALLY outdoors where there is wind.

As far as landings go, clipping actually increases the chances of a hard landing.

Not sure how your house is set up but I just keep the Venetian blinds down and open during the day now to keep Skittles from flying into them. With regard to the rest of the house, I just basically 'bird-proofed' it. Truthfully, its next to impossible to birdproof a room with a sun in it anyways. They'll explore anything and everything. The little stinkers! lol. I'm not sure how mischievous green cheeks are.

I've never tried a flight suit. I live in the city in the downtown area so taking Skittles out for 'free-flight' is not possible- and I wouldn't want to anyways, his colors would clearly draw the attention of other birds. Plus, he'd likely harass all the wild birds with his whole "nanner, nanner, I'm prettier than you are". He already does that indoors. He sees the wild birds out the window and goes bonkers. lol.

When I take Skittles out in the summertime I use a small cage with a lock on it. Perhaps thats something you could consider?

Congrats on the molt though. I collect all the big feathers (wing and tail). I already have two qt. size bags of Skittles feathers.

Hormones? Haha, I would not want to live through Skittles 'terrible-twos' again. I do feel for you there.

Good luck! I hope you are able to find a solution that works for you!

 

[IndySE]

We take her out into our fenced in courtyard sometimes which has nothing but still air. She likes sitting on my mom's shoulder, tucked under the rim of her hat. I agree it's probably not the best arrangement, so I'd love to get her used to some kind of flight suit/harness. That way she can still enjoy her gardening time X)

As it is, I'm trying to get everyone in the house used to no longer leaving the sliding glass door open and being aware of doors. I'm hopeful it won't be much of a transition since we have a dog that likes to bolt out open doors, so we already don't leave the front door open much.

I'm not sure how well I can bird-proof the living room she's in, which is part of why I've been dreading this cross-road. I live with my parents and there's only so much I'm allowed to change in the house. While I could have her live in my room and bird-proof that, this would take her away from the center of the household and enjoying the company of her people. Ideally, I'd like to get a clip that allows her to hover but not gain much altitude. Then I won't have to worry as much about bird proofing the high places of the living room.

I'm hopeful her hormones won't be bad I know some greencheeks take it likes its nothing. She's gotten a bit sassier since she was a baby, but nothing too bad yet. Fingers crossed !

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

What about having an outdoor cage? Where she can sit and enjoy the air?

I know with Skittles, seeing as he likes to follow me everywhere, a sliding glass door would be quite an issue.

I've gotten into the habit of putting Skittles in his cage before I leave the apt (unless I'm just stepping out to check the mail or drop something off for a neighbor etc). He doesn't manage to get into trouble when I step out briefly unless I am gone for a significant time which is why I cage him when I run errands. He prefers to be mischievous when I'm around and not looking. It's like a game to him. If I'm not here to catch him, its no fun for him. He doesn't realize that I am always keeping an eye on him, I can multi-task quite easily. I pretend I am not though, sometimes, cause it makes it fun for him.

 

[IndySE]

Hmm, an outdoor cage isn't a bad idea. I've fantasized about making an aviary before, complete with natural foliage to mimic a natural environment. Although I couldn't tackle such a project until the summer haha XP. That said, her current cage is very convenient and has wheels that could be easily wheeled all of four feet to the courtyard

I think I'll just have to do some soul-searching on whether it's feasible to bird-proof the house and whether Kermit's humans can be retrained to keep the sliding glass door closed when she's out. It may be that I can't have her fledged until I move off on my own :<

 

[snowflake311]

The day has finally come.
At about 9 months old, I discovered 3 flight molted flight feathers at the bottom of her cage; or maybe 4 and I can't find the 4th, because I figure they molt symmetrically. I figure I have all of a month until they're all grown in.

This is the day I've been somewhat dreading, because it means I have to make a decision D: I've tried getting her to warm up to a flight harness, but she hates getting her head in the tiny hole and I haven't even had the heart to try tightening it around her yet Been considering getting a flight suit to see if that's easier for her. Ideally I'd like her to continue enjoying outside time in our backyard.

I hate seeing her with the clip she has now because I feel like it does barely more than soften her fall. Sometimes I think she comes down too hard. I'm thinking I'll go with a partial clip so I won't have to worry about her hitting windows too hard and gaining too much altitude into unsafe places in the house, but at the same time getting some softer landings.
F
Does anyone have experience with partial clips ?

Regardless, this little miss is growing up Our next chapter will be the dreaded *gasp* hormones...

Omg me too. My little guy will be a year on March 25th. He is just now losing his cut wing feathers. So exciting. I am going to let my little guy fly.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Hmm, an outdoor cage isn't a bad idea. I've fantasized about making an aviary before, complete with natural foliage to mimic a natural environment. Although I couldn't tackle such a project until the summer haha XP. That said, her current cage is very convenient and has wheels that could be easily wheeled all of four feet to the courtyard

I think I'll just have to do some soul-searching on whether it's feasible to bird-proof the house and whether Kermit's humans can be retrained to keep the sliding glass door closed when she's out. It may be that I can't have her fledged until I move off on my own :<

Well, ultimately the safety of Kermit is what's most important. If you have other pets that roam free (dogs/cats etc) I, personally, wouldn't have a clipped bird because they can't defend themselves and escape. But if you also have a lot of people going in and out with lots of doors closing, flight is an issue there. It seems to me like your caught in a bad position which hopefully will remedy itself once you've moved on your own as you stated.

I don't have a lot of company over, its mainly just my neighbor and she doesn't stop by that often- other than that, the only person Skittles sees is me and that has made him very protective of me and as a result I can't have him out when other people stop by. He will attack them. I wish that weren't the situation, but it is and there really isn't anything I can do about it.

But truth of the matter is, its just me and him most of the time and I like it that way. People are just so overrated (sorry, people!). I'd rather live alone amongst the birds anyways.

 

[IndySE]

@ snowflake311 ;; Aww congratulations Sprinkles ! May your transition to flight be a breeze !

@Skittys_Daddy ;; We do have a terrier and I was initially very nervous about them even breathing the same air, especially since terriers have a high prey drive (and with outside animals, the terrier is not any different). For that reason the bird spent the first 3 months of her life with me in my bedroom and the dog wasn't even allowed to look at her. Fortunately we trained the dog to complete disinterest (the dog is actually scared of the bird because she once bit her on the nose D: !) so I allow them out at the same time with close supervision.

This decision is ultimately a tight balance of safety, socialization, and freedom. I will prioritize safety first, socialization second, and freedom at the very bottom of the list. I think I'd only be able to keep her flighted if she lived alone in my room again, but then she'd miss out on the company of her human flock (aka my mother, who is kind enough to give her attention while I'm at school).

So sadly, Kermit will most likely not be keeping her new feathers But I'll still explore the options of a partial clip because I really hate how hard her landings seem.