so i have read that the first 6-8 feathers should be clipped, if you are clipping...our GW got his clipped last night and the vet left the outer 2 and clipped the others..window cut? well today remington almost fell off his perch, not sure if it has anything to do with the clip job, the 2 sides dont look even and i have read that you shouldnt even notice a clip job if done properly, and i can see that one side is a little longer than the other. Is that a problem or am i over analyzing this? so for those of you that clip what do you do?
macaw wing clip question
- Thread starter triordan
- Start date
Aussie Ben
New member
When I used to get Buddy clipped, the vet would leave the last couple of feathers. I think the only reason for this is to make it look neater, but I think it also has something to do with irritation. I am just remembering something I read once, so not sure if it is true or not, but I think sometimes when all the feathers are clipped, the end ones can dig into the parrots side and irritate them. Leaving the end ones unclipped prevents this from happening.
Regardless of what method you have used, they should both be even. Otherwise the bird could become unbalanced.
Regardless of what method you have used, they should both be even. Otherwise the bird could become unbalanced.
SharonC
New member
- May 26, 2010
- 1,139
- 0
If it's just a little uneven, it shouldn't be a problem. I don't know what advice to give about the outer two feathers. Clipping them now depends on how it will affect his ability to coast down. You don't want him dropping like a stone. How many of the other feathers did the vet clip...
Aussie Ben
New member
I did a quick search and found this interesting thread on another forum that talks about different types of clips (go to last post on page)
Wing Clipping & Picking : Grey Chat
Here is an extract:
Show Clip: A show clip leaves the last two to four primaries on the wing intact, however cuts most or the rest of the primaries. The pros include a bird that may appear unclipped, and it may look attractive. The cons include the fact that it poses a risk to the wings if the outer primaries are caught in cage bars or otherwise, which may result in broken or ripped feathers, or even a broken wing.
Looks like Sharon was right on the money about feather/bone breakage
Wing Clipping & Picking : Grey Chat
Here is an extract:
Show Clip: A show clip leaves the last two to four primaries on the wing intact, however cuts most or the rest of the primaries. The pros include a bird that may appear unclipped, and it may look attractive. The cons include the fact that it poses a risk to the wings if the outer primaries are caught in cage bars or otherwise, which may result in broken or ripped feathers, or even a broken wing.
Looks like Sharon was right on the money about feather/bone breakage
Last edited:
SharonC
New member
- May 26, 2010
- 1,139
- 0
If the vet has already clipped six to eight feathers, you may want to wait. He'll drop like a stone if there are too many feathers clipped. The risk of injury, such as bruising or breaking the breast bone is too high. Maybe wait until feathers grow back, and do the clip differently next time.
Aussie Ben
New member
Only way I can tell is wait for some feathers to start falling out and seeing new feathers coming in. If there are feathers piling up on the floor of the cage, this means he is moulting (unless he is a plucker or something). It generally happens fairly consistently and you will learn to know when its about to happen. Generally birds moult every 6-12 months. I am by no means an expert, I just watch and wait. The feathers on the wings will fall and be replaced by new growth.
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