Should I clip him? :(

Atwee921 · Jun 15, 2012

Lately Sprite has been acting HORRIBLE!!! He HATES my brothers for no reason and it has gotten to the point where he flies onto them and starts biting their ears!!! I asked my breeder if this could have anything to do with flying and she said definitely. Sprite has also been flying away when he is a bad boy, because he knows that he is in trouble so he doesn't let me catch him. But I'd feel so bad to clip Sprite

Here is a list of the pros and cons of clipping him.

Pros-probably better behavior, no flying away from me, no flying away outside,

Cons-no flying outside with his harness, i'd feel bad :/

So what should I do...? There are more pros than cons >.<

suebee · Jun 15, 2012

clip him this one time and see how he behaves after his feathers have grown back, you can still take him outside in his harness, but no flying

Mayden · Jun 15, 2012

Eurg, I feel for you I'm having the same dilemma with Merlin at the moment, except it's me he's attacking!

He's an angel for Andrew but is just so vicious towards me and my housemate. We're trying a few things for now but I'm thinking we're going to give him a light clip and then let them grow out with his next molt, just to see if there is an improvment in behaviour. I'm usually pro-flight but it means he has the means to attack me, fly off and fly back for round two.

I hope you guys get through this, let me know how you get on with Sprite and if he calms down!

Atwee921 · Jun 15, 2012

Mayden said:
Eurg, I feel for you I'm having the same dilemma with Merlin at the moment, except it's me he's attacking!

He's an angel for Andrew but is just so vicious towards me and my housemate. We're trying a few things for now but I'm thinking we're going to give him a light clip and then let them grow out with his next molt, just to see if there is an improvment in behaviour. I'm usually pro-flight but it means he has the means to attack me, fly off and fly back for round two.

I hope you guys get through this, let me know how you get on with Sprite and if he calms down!

Thanks guys!
Yeah Sprite has been fine for me and my mom but he hates me brothers for no reason

friedsoup · Jun 15, 2012

Sorry to correct you but it's not for NO REASON it's for no reason you understand but one your birds feels completely justified in. That being said yes attitude adjustment is a good tool like someone tripping the school yard bully and making him back down. He may still be a bully but he'll think twice next time. And as stated they grow back.

CAGLulu · Jun 15, 2012

Think twice before taking this decision. Please keep in mind that if he has been fully flighted for some time it will stress him so much and harm his mentality. Imagine you can walk one day and the very next day you get your feet cut off. I know the feathers grow back again, but still... I'm sure you will take the right decision

Good luck!

Echo · Jun 15, 2012

CAGLulu said:
Think twice before taking this decision. Please keep in mind that if he has been fully flighted for some time it will stress him so much and harm his mentality. Imagine you can walk one day and the very next day you get your feet cut off. I know the feathers grow back again, but still... I'm sure you will take the right decision Good luck!

I disagree. It will not harm him mentally. And no, it's not the same as cutting your feet off! A clip will still enable him to fly, only not as fast, and downward (glide) rather than up.

Also, your con was "no flying outside with harness"? You are aware that in order to fly with a harness you need a very long anchorline right? And also know what you are doing so as not to tangle and hurt your bird? A regular leash on a harness (or flight suit) is not meant for flying.

I have both flighted and clipped birds. It all depends on the bird and its personality and behavior. However, a parrot who bomb dive you or fly to bite you is not an acceptable behavior in my opinion. I would trim his flight feathers, absolutely! I usually clip the last 6 flight feathers on the Green Cheeks. However, I clip the feathers half way, not entirely all the way to the coverts, which enable them to glide very nicely.

CAGLulu · Jun 15, 2012

Echo said:
CAGLulu said:

Think twice before taking this decision. Please keep in mind that if he has been fully flighted for some time it will stress him so much and harm his mentality. Imagine you can walk one day and the very next day you get your feet cut off. I know the feathers grow back again, but still... I'm sure you will take the right decision Good luck!

Click to expand...

I disagree. It will not harm him mentally. And no, it's not the same as cutting your feet off! A clip will still enable him to fly, only not as fast, and downward (glide) rather than up.

Also, your con was "no flying outside with harness"? You are aware that in order to fly with a harness you need a very long anchorline right? And also know what you are doing so as not to tangle and hurt your bird? A regular leash on a harness (or flight suit) is not meant for flying.

I have both flighted and clipped birds. It all depends on the bird and its personality and behavior. However, a parrot who bomb dive you or fly to bite you is not an acceptable behavior in my opinion. I would trim his flight feathers, absolutely! I usually clip the last 6 flight feathers on the Green Cheeks. However, I clip the feathers half way, not entirely all the way to the coverts, which enable them to glide very nicely.

"Sometimes, when a previously flighted bird is suddenly grounded, it can change it’s personality. Aside from feeling insecure, it can become depressed, sometimes lethargic, as if it has lost its zeal for life." I've talked with three avian vets and the all agree on that statement. I will never agree on clipping birds but that is just my opinion. I've noticed that it is totally normal in the US but here in Denmark it is seen as a no-go and I agree!

Echo · Jun 15, 2012

CAGLulu said:
Echo said:

CAGLulu said:

Think twice before taking this decision. Please keep in mind that if he has been fully flighted for some time it will stress him so much and harm his mentality. Imagine you can walk one day and the very next day you get your feet cut off. I know the feathers grow back again, but still... I'm sure you will take the right decision Good luck!

Click to expand...

I disagree. It will not harm him mentally. And no, it's not the same as cutting your feet off! A clip will still enable him to fly, only not as fast, and downward (glide) rather than up.

Also, your con was "no flying outside with harness"? You are aware that in order to fly with a harness you need a very long anchorline right? And also know what you are doing so as not to tangle and hurt your bird? A regular leash on a harness (or flight suit) is not meant for flying.

I have both flighted and clipped birds. It all depends on the bird and its personality and behavior. However, a parrot who bomb dive you or fly to bite you is not an acceptable behavior in my opinion. I would trim his flight feathers, absolutely! I usually clip the last 6 flight feathers on the Green Cheeks. However, I clip the feathers half way, not entirely all the way to the coverts, which enable them to glide very nicely.

Click to expand...

"Sometimes, when a previously flighted bird is suddenly grounded, it can change it’s personality. Aside from feeling insecure, it can become depressed, sometimes lethargic, as if it has lost its zeal for life." I've talked with three avian vets and the all agree on that statement. I will never agree on clipping birds but that is just my opinion. I've noticed that it is totally normal in the US but here in Denmark it is seen as a no-go and I agree!

Like I said, it depends on the bird. And honestly, vets, even Avian Vets, most have much less experience with parrots than the members here on the forum!! They see the birds in a windowless room and a lot of them don't even own a bird. Most birds, even fully flighted, living in our homes, don't experience real full force "flying" for lack of space. Not to be argumental, but most do well with a wing trim. That said, my Grey does indeed do BETTER mentally when fully flighted, which she is, because she is very shy and feels more secure when she knows she can get away faster. So you have to do what is best in your situation with each individual bird.

Should I clip him? :(

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