two broken flight feathers

[tlouiselle]

Stewie has recently broken 2 flight feathers. They keep spinning around and get caught in awkward directions (up down, sticking out away from his body, sticking in his face). I have been waiting for him to take care of them by himself for almost a week now. Today I took a closer look and they are broken very high up. I was always told not to clip past the second row of feathers and these are broken underneath the second layer of feathers where the rows overlap.

Should I leave them alone or clip them?

If I do clip them do I try to get as close as I can to where the break is or should I just trim a little bit off so that they don't keep getting stuck.

I have always trimmed my birds wings myself, but I have never clipped them this far up. I am afraid he will bleed. I don't want to hurt him.

 

[BillsBirds]

Only newer "blood feathers" or "pin feathers" bleed. If these feathers have a solid color (probably white) shaft, then these are mature feathers. They shouldn't bleed. I'd cut at the break. Being VERY careful not to nip him, or other feathers. If the shaft is red or pink, do not cut them. Usually a bird will pull out any broken feathers. He'll pull out, or molt, the remaining piece of shaft. Another thing that I have done, is to pull the feather out. But, that shouldn't be done unless you know what you are doing. It hurts, and scares, the bird.

 

[Tikazoo]

I was told you could use flour and or corn starch to help with any bleeding that might occur too, FYI.

 

[lene1949]

Only newer "blood feathers" or "pin feathers" bleed. If these feathers have a solid color (probably white) shaft, then these are mature feathers. They shouldn't bleed. I'd cut at the break. Being VERY careful not to nip him, or other feathers. If the shaft is red or pink, do not cut them. Usually a bird will pull out any broken feathers. He'll pull out, or molt, the remaining piece of shaft. Another thing that I have done, is to pull the feather out. But, that shouldn't be done unless you know what you are doing. It hurts, and scares, the bird.

I would also just cut at the break... If a young feather breaks I'd pull it, but, yes.. you need to know what you're doing.

 

[lene1949]

I was told you could use flour and or corn starch to help with any bleeding that might occur too, FYI.

Yes... cornflour works well...