To clip or not to clip??????

[Lakermatt]

HI All, just want to get your guys opinions before I move any further... My "Skittles" is growing very fond of me lately... now she flies to everyplace I walk in my home... if I sit on the couch, she flies to the couch, if I go get a beer in the kitchen, best believe she is on her way... LOL. I didn't even teach her!! HA HA.. if she is on her cage, all I have to do is tap my arm and she will fly right to my arm. any where in my house she will do this. NO TRAINING WHATSOVER.. thankfully I have VERY high ceilings and a very open concept in my home. its basically a large open space. (I love it for entertaining). my question is that should I clip her wings to stop this behavior? or should I not? I feel terrible thinking that I would take that ability away from her, but then again, I cant have a exotic bird flying through my house as we are having guests over for dinner and such... and most importantly possibly hurting herself somehow.. what do you guys suggest? all she wants to do is sit on my shoulder and preen me and cuddle.. LOL. FYI, my wife is super jealous... HE HE... IS THIS NORMAL AT 5 MONTHS ???

 

[Kyoto]

I wouldn't clip her. Sounds like you have a perfect house for a flighted bird. As long as you can minimize dangers for her, she will be very happy to stay flighted.

 

[Ann333]

I agree with Kyoto completely. It doesn't sound like you are having any problems with having a flighted bird. And being flighted gives your bird more freedom independence and exercise ...and im sure joy. Why fix what isn't broken? Just put him in the cage when you have people over or are cooking or eating.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Ever heard of that saying "don't fix it if it aint broke"? I believe you have that situation. She sounds like she really enjoys spending time flying and being with her. You should involve your wife more though, so that skittles can be well socialized. You can practice with your bird flying between you both, while earning a treats. Have fun!!

 

[labell]

If you are entertaining the bird should be in her cage. It is way too easy with people going in and out even with a clipped bird to fly out the door and be lost forever.

Clipping is a personal decision and one you must make based on your lifestyle and equally important what is best for your bird. I think at this age I would let her become even better at flying and landing before considering even a light clip.

As for following you that is what a bonded bird does, since you hand fed her that makes it even more pronounced. As time goes on you can begin station training where when you put her in a certain area or play stand and she stays there. It can be done just takes time.

I don't ever think though that clipping should be done because it's inconvenient to have our birds follow us around. We have taken them out of the wild and become their flock, wanting to be with us is normal. It won't always be convenient such as when Willow see's my hands are full so decides my head is as good a landing place as any. God forbid I try to text when she is out there will be no attention paid to anyone else thank you very much!

 

[Lakermatt]

ha ha ha.. ok thanks guys. My wife is definitely interacting, and skittles does go to her. She is just more fond to me as of now. and it certainly does have to do with the hand feeding. I will not clip!!

 

[Mekaisto]

You can always train her not to come unless she's called

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

I ask myself this question everyday....and have yet to decide what I want to do lol

 

[gracebowen]

I got Jet clipped. He was clipped badly and dropped like a rock. He broke so many blood feathers. The first month my first thought every morning and many times during the night was is he bleeding to death. Did I miss a broken blood feather.

His tail has yet to fully grow back.

I watched him want to fly so bad.

Now that he is finally flying for fun I dont think I will ever have him clipped.

Ace my budgie on the other hand came clipped and flew very well.

It is a personal choice but my opinion is absent a very compelling otherwise birds are meant to fly.

Mine fly all the time just for fun.

Matt im glad you decided not to clip.