Clipped and loving it.

[Redballoon]

The Skippah is showing off his new hair cut.
It is supposed to be till he is trained, but Im getting to like the control.

 

[TexDot33]

I'm not a birdie expert, but I think there might be something wrong with that clip job ... ummm, gosh, I hope Skippah doesn't try to fly ... BUT on the upside, maybe you could train Skippah to fly in an oval shape and he could be the offical bird of NASCAR! HA!!

 

[darkchi]

Yes, you do know that you should be clipping both wings evenly right. A bird could get hurt being all lop sided

 

[Redballoon]

Actually thats what I asked the Vet.
He said the you only clip one wing so he flutters in a spiral to the ground with less of a thump.
The thing is he can still sort of fly any where he wants to get. its a flutter hop jump sort of arrangement that seems to get him where he needs to go.
$52 Australian to clip 7 flight feathers.
but he had a really cool clipper that made the job look easy.

 

[birdcrazy]

umm I dunno the place I got Misty only clipped one side cuz they said it was pretty to leave the other side long... I usually just do one side on her but my last issue of bird talk said NEVER to do one side - Sidney's breeder clipped both of his and they looked very nice I know for him that will always be the best thing it seems no matter how much I clip Misty can fly... I would always do both on big birds and if they have a little of a ruff landing at first they will learn how much they HAVE to depend on you for transportation, Honestly I think it is just one of those things that you have to decide what works best for you like mirror bird toys and quarinteen there is no right or wrong answer for everyone.

 

[Peta]

Yeah, both sides should be clipped, I don't wanna worry you but I've heard of a lot of birds getting injured because they've only had one side cut. I think I would ask for a second opinion here, from a different vet.

Glad that you are finding him easier to handle.

 

[NicoleN]

Aren't there around 3 different ways to clip a bird? I read it in an article online, but it could be totally off. I've heard of birds becoming depressed b/c they've always been flight birds, and then they have their wings clipped. I guess the whole "3 stages of clipping" is similar to getting long hair cut short: You don't want to do it all at once b/c it'd be a shock, so you start small and go a little shorter each time.

Has anyone else heard about this gradual clipping thing?

 

[Eclectica]

Yes gradual clipping is usually done on birds that was once flighted. They clip say 2 feathers and let him be, because if he gets all clipped once he will seriously injure himself by trying to fly- its more for him to become gradually used to not flying. But its not always necessary, you can clip both wings, the primary flight feathers- 7 from the outside inwards. That should suffice for parrots and Kelli, you can try clipping Misty on both sides- 10 primaries. I read it and done it on my tiels and it worked.

Because small parakeets are much lighter than a parrot they should be clipped more. But i would clip Skippah on both sides, it makes him balanced and glide to the floor. You can get those clippers from a good petstore. I've seen them before, expensive but you can always use it.

Just what i've read and done if it helps.

 

[Redballoon]

I was just posting up about my Bird play Gym when Skippah Decided to "Fly" Across the house and stroll out the front door, throught the Wrought iron Cage we have at the front of the house, and into the front yard, with Debbie, beach towel in hand close behind him, trying to look casual. I raced out the back door, around the house at light speed to try and herd him back inside. I found him on the front lawn, 15 feet from our busy street front at peak hour. We casually herded him all the way around the house, in though the back door, across the kitchen floor and back onto his cage top.
Now, he "flew" 15 metres in a downward ark from 5 feet up in the air(his cage top). That was with his new "One "wing clip. Am I expecting too much from a wing clip?
There is no way Im stuffing him back in that box and freaking him out again with a trip to the vet. So is a home visit in order?

 

[Peta]

If Skippah was mine I'd insist on the other wing being clipped, especially as he can still fly . Luckily you were there to herd him back inside, doesn't bear thinking about him getting out onto that road if you hadn't been so vigilant. Yes even with a wing clip on both wings he is still gonna be able to get out the door, just goes to show how determined these guys can be. If he really does get freaked out and your vet is willing to make a home visit I would go with that. Remember stay out of his eye sight when this is being done. You then end up as the good guy, especially if you come in with some special goodies for him. Blackmail is such a wonderful thing.

Has anyone else heard about this gradual clipping thing?

Have to say I haven't heard of this before.

 

[Tracy842]

The vet should take the bird into another room so when he brings them back you are there to "rescue" him from the mean vet that clipped his wings. I would have 2 wings clipped and if done properly he will not make a bad thump to the ground he will glide to the ground.

Good thing you got Skippah back inside before something bad could happen