Picking at flight feathers?

[kellycraig125]

So I took Lucy for a check up today and they said that everything looked great, of course they'll get back with me on the blood work and everything. Anyway the only thing they said they noticed was that it looked like she'd been picking at and destroying her flight feathers (which had already been clipped when I got her). Now I was shocked because I have NEVER noticed her doing that and I only work part time so I am with her a lot. I keep her active with toys both bought and homemade, I play with her, she seems happy and healthy otherwise. And as you can tell from pics I've posted, she's definitely not a plucker, her feathers and colors are beautiful. Any thoughts on this? Why she'd be picking at her flight feathers only? Have you ever heard of this before? I'm a worried mama now.

Thanks!

 

[kellycraig125]

Anyone??

 

[Ann333]

If her feathers are clipped she may be chewing the ends because they are itchy or uncomfortable... Sometimes scissors can leave the feathers with sharp edges....

 

[Anansi]

Ann is quite right. It could very well be due to the clip. Ekkies can be a little more sensitive to wing clips, unfortunately.

Any pics of her outstretched wings?

 

[kellycraig125]

No, I'll try and get some. :/ She looks so good otherwise so it just baffled me. I think I am not going to clip her wings. I'd like to teach her to fly...I don't know, I know it's a controversial subject and I have mixed feelings. But I think she'd be happier and healthier overall without them clipped. But I will try and get pics and share. She is such a joy to us! Her first birthday (hatchday?!) is next month!

 

[Anansi]

Her first hatchday! Nice!

I think it would be great if you taught her to fly! Just remember that she likely never had the opportunity to fledge, so you'll want to start small with her. In a bedroom, perhaps, with two training perches.

If she's good with target training, then I find that putting the two perches right next to each other and then gradually widening the distance between them with each successive, and successful, movement from one to the other is quite effective. And being in a smaller room until she gets control of her flying definitely helps, both in terms of her safety and confidence.

Once she gets better at flying, then you can introduce her to the rest of your house.