A vet visit changed Archie’s personality

It was for the better, and damn if I understand it:

1) I took him this past Tuesday for nail trimming and wing clipping. Had to hand him over outside...and wait in the parking lot. Turns out they also gave him a minor beak trimming. Only 15 months old, but yeah, that thing was long and pointy.

2) I was worried about his weight, because he’s been steady at 475 grams since I got him in February, and the average weight for YNA is 480 to 680. While waiting in the parking lot, they called me and said his weight and plumage are absolutely perfect. Nothing to be concerned about, and to ignore those species weight guidelines.

3) They really did a number on the wing clipping. Prior, he just had two primary flight feathers from each wing totally clipped. This time, they chopped ‘em all, it seems, and it REALLY affected his agility when “falling” inside the cage. Like, zero lift, if I can use aeronautical terms.

4) Since, he’s been enormously mellow...more than ever...but still talking up a freaking storm and playing around like a maniac. He is nowhere as nippy as he used to be, but putting this aside (I never considered his playful nippiness a problem), I see a DIFFERENCE. And on the way home from the vet in the car, I heard vocalizations I never heard before.

5) He started talking a few things I’ve been trying to teach him for months. My house is now finally filled with the glorious sounds of “I’m cuckoo for Coco Puffs!” and “Step up!”

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I just find the whole thing weird, a clear change in personality just from his vet visit. And VERY weird, when I first put him back in the cage after the vet, he spread feathers, tail feathers too, pinned like a maniac, crouched down low...as if there was a danger and he was ready to attack something (not me), so obviously, he was just thrilled to be home in his cage. His body language didn’t mean attack as the rules imply; just meant emotional overload, but happiness.

Awhile ago, when doing step up from the cage, I stopped bringing my hand right up to his chest. Instead, I offered the hand, and allowed it to be his decision whether to step up or not. He always did, but now, I sense more than ever that he appreciates that I’m giving him the option, and not forcing myself on him. And he happily steps up faster than ever.

Just wanted to share, since we’re also boarding him at this CAV for a few days starting Monday.

That's good that he took it well and that it was positive! Sometimes they take it out on the people who took them, so your guy sounds pretty understanding in that department (dare I say, logical even unlike some parrots ha !)

He could have also been irritated by the length of his beak/nails etc-- sometimes a trim makes them feel better (even if they hate it while it's happening)

Wish they wouldn't have butchered his feathers, as that can be quite dangerous, but he probably knows it. Just be careful with him--- Next time, ask them to go a bit easier so he can at least glide down (you don't want him falling like a rock if he gets startled and reacts on instinct). Over-clipping and one wing clips are def something to avoid (as I am sure you know).

noodles123 said:

That's good that he took it well and that it was positive! Sometimes they take it out on the people who took them, so your guy sounds pretty understanding in that department (dare I say, logical even unlike some parrots ha !)

He could have also been irritated by the length of his beak/nails etc-- sometimes a trim makes them feel better (even if they hate it while it's happening)

Wish they wouldn't have butchered his feathers, as that can be quite dangerous, but he probably knows it. Just be careful with him--- Next time, ask them to go a bit easier so he can at least glide down (you don't want him falling like a rock if he gets startled and reacts on instinct). Over-clipping and one wing clips are def something to avoid (as I am sure you know).

Click to expand...

These guys know what they’re doing.

I haven’t seen him try to fly outside of the cage yet. I just notice that in his cage, there’s a difference.

I don’t really subscribe to the non-clipping or minor clipping theory.

I’m not losing him to flying away.

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

That's good that he took it well and that it was positive! Sometimes they take it out on the people who took them, so your guy sounds pretty understanding in that department (dare I say, logical even unlike some parrots ha !)

He could have also been irritated by the length of his beak/nails etc-- sometimes a trim makes them feel better (even if they hate it while it's happening)

Wish they wouldn't have butchered his feathers, as that can be quite dangerous, but he probably knows it. Just be careful with him--- Next time, ask them to go a bit easier so he can at least glide down (you don't want him falling like a rock if he gets startled and reacts on instinct). Over-clipping and one wing clips are def something to avoid (as I am sure you know).

Click to expand...

These guys know what they’re doing.

I haven’t seen him try to fly outside of the cage yet. I just notice that in his cage, there’s a difference.

I don’t really subscribe to the non-clipping or minor clipping theory.

I’m not losing him to flying away.

Click to expand...

The idea is to have him not sink like a stone if he tries to fly.
I don't have SUPER strong opinions on it either, but the goal is to keep them safe if they decide to fly and do not know that they cannot.
Obviously I think if you can leave a bird unclipped you should, but if you clip, that's not my business. I am just saying, there is a way to do it safely and there is a way to do it that poses greater risk.
I am NOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT saying you did anything wrong here-- I am just saying, in the future, I would ask them to go a bit easier, so that you don't end up with a bird with a spinal injury.
Again, there is a time and place for clipping (in many cases), so like I said, I don't think you are wrong for doing it, I just think some ways are safer than others.

noodles123 said:

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

That's good that he took it well and that it was positive! Sometimes they take it out on the people who took them, so your guy sounds pretty understanding in that department (dare I say, logical even unlike some parrots ha !)

He could have also been irritated by the length of his beak/nails etc-- sometimes a trim makes them feel better (even if they hate it while it's happening)

Wish they wouldn't have butchered his feathers, as that can be quite dangerous, but he probably knows it. Just be careful with him--- Next time, ask them to go a bit easier so he can at least glide down (you don't want him falling like a rock if he gets startled and reacts on instinct). Over-clipping and one wing clips are def something to avoid (as I am sure you know).

Click to expand...

These guys know what they’re doing.

I haven’t seen him try to fly outside of the cage yet. I just notice that in his cage, there’s a difference.

I don’t really subscribe to the non-clipping or minor clipping theory.

I’m not losing him to flying away.

Click to expand...

The idea is to have him not sink like a stone if he tries to fly.
I don't have SUPER strong opinions on it either, but the goal is to keep them safe if they decide to fly and do not know that they cannot.
Obviously I think if you can leave a bird unclipped you should, but if you clip, that's not my business. I am just saying, there is a way to do it safely and there is a way to do it that poses greater risk.
I am NOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT saying you did anything wrong here-- I am just saying, in the future, I would ask them to go a bit easier, so that you don't end up with a bird with a spinal injury.
Again, there is a time and place for clipping (in many cases), so like I said, I don't think you are wrong for doing it, I just think some ways are safer than others.

Click to expand...

I think it’s a lot safer that he sinks like a stone as opposed to flying out the window.

It’s not even a decision I feel is open to discussion.

Ira7 said:

I think it’s a lot safer that he sinks like a stone as opposed to flying out the window.

Click to expand...

While I regret not clipping Ari and losing him I think that such a severe clipping that a bird drops like a stone is potentially as dangerous. Ten or so years ago I was a member of a different forum that was focused on Cockatiels. One of the members had a bird that had been clipped so severely that it dropped like a stone. It climbed to the top of its cage and attempted to fly to its owner. Only to drop like a stone onto a tiled floor and shatter it's keel bone. It didn't survive the injury.

I think the point noodles was trying to make is that a clipped bird should be able to slow it's descent enough to prevent such an injury but not get any lift. Certainly not a criticism of what your vet did. And I for one will certainly be keeping my birds clipped after losing Ari. I don't want to go through that again.

Hello, all.

I've gone through and removed several posts from this thread in an attempt to get the discussion back on track. Please keep in mind that while we all share a passion for birds, here, we also all strive to maintain an atmosphere that is both constructive and respectful. As such, we would ask that each member treat every other member with respect.

This is a forum, and all are entitled, and indeed encouraged, to speak, participate and contribute. As with any forum, you have the right to take whatever advice you deem germane and helpful to your and your bird's particular situation, and ignore the rest. But no one has the right to attack others when they don't like either what they've said or how they've said it. Without respect, there can be no meaningful dialogue. No constructive discourse. Without respect, conversation becomes little more than noise.

Thank you for understanding.

Thanks for your moderation, Anansi.