Question about pin feathers / new feathers

[katie_fleming]

Hello!

So Jasper has now lost two primary feathers and countless little ones.

Today he enjoyed an extra long shower (normally he's in and out in about 5 minutes, today he took his sweet time and was in birdie heaven!), and when he was finished he let me check him over.

I noticed several white parts but there was already a feather that had broken through, about half an inch maybe.

Do I still need to remove the white part even though the feathers are through?

Also, how do I know when he needs to be clipped again? When he's lost all of his primaries?

 

[Anansi]

Ekkies don't really tend to allopreen as a species, so I never help with breaking the casing. Other birds reportedly derive some relief from such efforts, but in my experience ekkies will just find the practice annoying.

I don't clip, so I can't really help with the clipping question. But I know we have several members who are experts in such matters.