Never thought I'd say this, but...

[Abzeez]

I'm thinking about clipping Ida's wings. My other two are full flighted, but they pretty much stay on their cages, play gym, or come to hang out with me.

Ida is all over the place! I mean EVERYWHERE. No matter where I place her or what I give her to do she is always off like a rocket destroying something, she's like a out of control teen. I try really hard to give her many play options, but if I am not doing everything with her, she won't do it. She won't entertain herself. She is constantly flying all over, getting on top of the fridge, ripping stuff off my counters, chewing up anything she can find.

I am wondering if its different with the other two because they both have been clipped in the past. They both still fly, and Chico's favorite spot is the shower curtain in the bathroom. He could hang out there all day if I would let him, but they are both much more mellow then Ida.

I have given time outs, tired bringing her with me when I do things like laundry, Hid the treats, lots of foot toys etc, but if I move away from the area she flies to me or flies off the playstand to find something better to play with. I really want her to not be dependant so much on me and learn to play on her own a bit more. Don't get me wrong, although I find this a bit annoying, I love her, and enjoy having cuddle time with her, but I don't want her thinking she needs to be on me all the time and I don't want her thinking she has dibs on everthing in the house. So do you think I should give her a wing clipping and see if it helps her stay grounded a bit more?

 

[merlinsmom13]

I'm there w/you. Merlin follows me from room to room, he will sit & play quietly but like to be where I am. She is young, I'm sure she will mellow. It will just take time.

 

[Abzeez]

I normally don't mind a parrot or two or three following me around, but nothing is safe when she is in the room. lol. She is quite the handful, that is for sure. Hopefully she starts to slow down a bit.

 

[MikeyTN]

A lot of birds tend to do that when they're young. Give her time. I would clip her as well if it were up to me. And you know I've said I don't like clipping, but with issues like that, I would have no choice. Out of all my birds, only one is clipped! Plus the 4 babies I raised of course, they were flying everywhere driving me nuts, handfeeding them was a hassle cause I have to get them off the book shelves and ceiling fans....

 

[suebee]

I normally don't mind a parrot or two or three following me around, but nothing is safe when she is in the room. lol. She is quite the handful, that is for sure. Hopefully she starts to slow down a bit.

lol was same with nut, but after a few telling off an reminders she kinda knows what not to chew lol

 

[merlinsmom13]

I notice that Merlin is more destructive when he is bored. When I'm cleaning or cooking, I sing to him to keep him entertained. Otherwise he would push everything from the counter & probably worse.

I always make sure bad combo pets are not accessible, doors locked, etc. in case I get distracted & forget he is loose. My countertops are practically clutter free to cut down on breakage. lol

 

[Abzeez]

Yeah, I am thinking I might have to clip her. I forgot to mention she is starting to drive the other parrots nuts. She is very bossy and will fly over to where they are and harass them until they fly some where else. Sometimes I have 3 parrots flying at the same time. She has caused some chaos in their lives and they aren't really digging it.

 

[merlinsmom13]

That could be tragic for someone. Clipping might be a good idea until she mellows a bit. Bean could hurt her or she could hurt Chico. They can even do real damage thru the bars.

I only had the 1 when Merlin was a baby & it was enough. I lost 11 Fiestaware mugs during this period. Its so hard to remember you can just set a cup down. I think the colors attracted him.

 

[Abzeez]

Yup! Wing clipping is in her future as soon as tomorrow! She attacked Bean several times while they were out today, and I am proud to say Bean, the amazon, backed down and just wanted to get away from her. I don't have time to let them all out at different times, and no space to give them different rooms. So tomorrow I am giving her a clip.

 

[mrob]

hi =)
years ago i lost a grey in very similar circumstances -he was flighted and one day got startled and flew straight into a wall. He was killed instantly.
So i have clipped ever since - but its really up to you. i know you would prefer not to clip, but if you are worried then maybe its a good idea....you will feel guilty for a while though!!
good luck, whatever you decide will be the right thing for you and Ida.

 

[Abzeez]

Yup she is getting clipped. She is turning into the spoiled "baby." Whenever one of the other parrots is near me she has to fly over and make them go away. I told her tonight that tomorrow she isn't going to be a happy camper, then kissed her beak and put her to bed. I think it is best to clip her. She gets everyone in an up roar and throws tantrums. I'll feel bad, but its best for everyones saftey.

 

[merlinsmom13]

Definitely, she'll get over it. She has to learn to share Mom. I've always said they are like toddlers that fly.

 

[YNAMomma]

She sounds like quite a character. I know i am on the fence myself about getting my Ammies wings clipped. They came to me as just breeders and had no experiance with human contact so are still sometimes a little nervous but they never leave their cage area. I open the top so they can get up to their play area and perches and they have yet to fly anywhere. Makes me wonder if they even know how. Which may mean i dont have to clip em. I guess its a wait and see game here. Good luck to you though.

 

[Abzeez]

I clipped them today, she wasn't happy about it, but it only took her all of 30 seconds to realize she couldn't fly anywhere. I placed her on top of the play gym, gave her a couple sunflower seeds, (because I felt bad) and told her it was for her own good. So she sat at the top of her play gym, didn't go for the seeds for about 20 minutes. I think she was pretty mad at me.

 

[Echo]

Yes you have to choose the safest solution for your household. My Grey is fully flighted because it helps her self esteem. She is VERY shy and being able to fly away from the others gives her more assurance and she is less stressed. Some of my other parrots are clipped. However, when they all become a bit crazy, I bring them to their outside cages. The change of scenery gets them calmer and they like to observe to wildlife ...keep them entertained for a bit. I always dread the winter as it is then too cold for them to be outside

 

[merlinsmom13]

Poor Ida, it will be safer for all concerned. I've had days when I wanted to clip Merlin, theres more to worry about when they are flighted. He loves to fly. I worry about it but he knows where all the windows are & mostly leaves my dog alone. So far we're still flighted.

 

[mrob]

How is Ida doing?Is She still mad?
I always hate the clip - thats why i clip early before they get used to flying. and i dont do it myself because i feel so guilty!! But i really feel that its the best thing for my bird safety wise..
Hope Ida doesnt hold it against you!