Should i cut my birds wings?

SpecificMacaw · Nov 12, 2017

so, i'm getting an Alexadrine soon and will be having it in an outside walk in aviary. The thing is, the Alexandrine will be less than 4 months old, and i don't want to risk it flying out of it for the first few months in case it won't return, and seeing it's invasive it'd be illegal and something i'm against letting happen. i may cut the wings once for it to bond with me, unless i could have a harness on it at all times, which i don't think so? Just want to know some more experienced owners input on the topic, as i know it's frowned a pon commonly. P.S my family does have a cat but when i do get the alexandrine out/have it out the cat will be inside in an enclosed room until put back in the aviary and lock being securely done Also my first bird, in case that matters.

SpecificMacaw · Nov 12, 2017

don't believe in the clipping of wings either unless it's for the birds or other animals safety, which is why i'm very hesitant about it, too.

MonicaMc · Nov 12, 2017

Even a clipped bird has the ability to fly off. Also, if you train wrong, then clipping their wings wont do any good in bonding.

Do you have a cage or carrier you could transport your alex in between the aviary and your home?

Since you don't have your bird yet, is there any way to have the person/breeder who has the alex now (if you have chosen one that is) be harness training before you get your alex home?

Jottlebot · Nov 12, 2017

No, don't clip wings. A young bird needs to learn how to fly well. I'm confused why you're so worried. Does your aviary have 2 doors so you can walk in, close one door and then open the second to access the interior. Birds do get lost and it's heartbreaking, but taking proper precautions will reduce the risk as much as possible.

Are you worried about taking the bird from the aviary to the house and it flying off then? You should be using a harness or a smaller cage to take your bird outside. I don't know why you think he would have to wear a harness all the time though? You shouldn't leave your bird in a harness without supervision.

It will take longer to bond with your bird if he's outside. Do you have an area inside where he can spend time too?

Alex's are lovely birds!

Sora · Nov 13, 2017

Hi,

I feel slightly differently. I have 12 birds who I allow to free fly in my home and go into their cages when I am not home. That said, I like to have my babies wings clipped to begin with as they are then dependent on me. I have found that it forms a basis of a strong relationship between me and the bird before they start forming relationships with the rest of our flock. Once their feathers grow back I let them keep them. I had my Alex's wings clipped when he first came to live with me and he is still very loving even though he now has his wings and a girlfriend.

Good luck with your new baby. Alex's are such beautiful birds.

LordTriggs · Nov 14, 2017

I'm really confused by the living situation you plan for your bird. Do you plan on keeping them in an aviary constantly or in the house but then taken out to an aviary daily? Just need some clarification on that.

IMO moving them back and forth constantly is just an accident waiting to happen in terms of flying off which a clip won't fix. If kept in an aviary there should always be a 2-door system to stop them flying off but once again even if clipped they can still fly. Unless you clip them to a point where they fall like a bag of rocks which is cruel to do.

SpecificMacaw · Nov 14, 2017

it'' be mainly outside, yes by that time i'll hopefully have a place inside for him to stay if absolutely needed, and no there isn't two doors, only one sadly, and as i stated above- i wouldn't cut the wings just so it could bond with me, i'd do it for the first months so when it can fly it (hopefully) won't fly away before i could get the harness on, and yes i know it doesn't completely stop the bird from flying, it's just so if it did get out, it wouldn't be able to fly as fast or probably as high to get out of the yard, so i could then safely get it back in, If i was to clip its wings i'd also do some exercises while its wings are growing back.

LordTriggs · Nov 14, 2017

SpecificMacaw said:
it'' be mainly outside, yes by that time i'll hopefully have a place inside for him to stay if absolutely needed, and no there isn't two doors, only one sadly, and as i stated above- i wouldn't cut the wings just so it could bond with me, i'd do it for the first months so when it can fly it (hopefully) won't fly away before i could get the harness on, and yes i know it doesn't completely stop the bird from flying, it's just so if it did get out, it wouldn't be able to fly as fast or probably as high to get out of the yard, so i could then safely get it back in, If i was to clip its wings i'd also do some exercises while its wings are growing back.

if they get outside when clipped they will be gone before you know it. That's primarily how birds get lost is through a clipped bird being assumed to be unable to get away.

As for the harness good luck getting that on at the start. Honestly you're going to traumatize a bird if you just sling a harness on immediately, no offense to you it just will. They take months of training for a fully bonded bird to accept and even then they can decide they don't like it.

I would decide right now if that will be an aviary bird left to be wild or if you want a companion parrot. If you want the latter don't bother with outside and keep them in the house until such a point they are properly trained to accept a harness and go out with you.

MonicaMc · Nov 14, 2017

Aviaries are pretty common in Australia... even for pet birds.

SpecificMacaw · Nov 14, 2017

i know about the harness thing, and i'd wait until it'd be at least 6 months of age if not more to attempt to put the harness on

MonicaMc · Nov 14, 2017

You can start harness training them before they are even weaned... in fact, the younger they get accustomed to it, the better.

Charlie, my mitred conure, never wore a harness until he was 12 years old. He took to it rather well, all things considering... but that doesn't mean he loves wearing it, either.

Should i cut my birds wings?

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Need help with taming my Alexandrine

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