should i allow kiwis flight feathers to grow out?

[quakerdad69]

I'm needing some insight on whether I should let kiwis.flight wings to grow out. I feel bad that he isn't allowed the freedom to be able to fly around the house. Does it change his behavior? I just feel he will be less bored and have more freedom being able to fly.

 

[MonicaMc]

His behavior may change, but with proper training, it shouldn't be an issue. It does take more time, consideration and thought, but in the end, it would be beneficial to him! Especially since quakers are prone to obesity and fatty liver disease.

 

[MikeyTN]

All of my birds are flighted and I rarely have an issue. Some came to me clipped and I allow them to grow out. Although the Quaker I had before would fly around and I never catch him cause he hates going back into his cage. I raised him since he was a baby.

 

[NWQuakers]

I "lost" my Mark overnight once due to her being flighted and 'operator error'. Since then I keep them trimmed, because we are always coming and going and need the peace of mind knowing they won't slip out the door, or get far if they do.

Before that (when I didn't live on a busy farm) I used to let Mark's wings grow out in winter, when we were indoors mostly, and doors usually shut. We'd have a few flight lessons to get reacquainted, but she was not very thrilled with flying for the most part.

Lucky came to us trimmed, and we've kept her that way too. She's pretty nervous and busy so her weight doesn't get up there.

It's a personal choice for sure, and based on how traumatic it was to lose Mark, just for one night, I'll play it safe when it comes to flighted birds.

 

[quakerdad69]

My issue is I spend slot of time with him, but he obviously a bird who demands all your time and gets bored easily I'm thinking him being able to fly might help. He's already starting to pluck feathers, and I'm hoping him having that freedom might keep him from doing it.

 

[MonicaMc]

Unfortunately, even clipped birds can get loose/escape. It shouldn't be used as a guarantee of keeping your bird safe... although it seems that many (not all) people who keep flighted parrots take extra precautions in making sure that their birds are kept safe where-as many pro-clip owners seem to be more lax about the situation.


I also hate seeing owners lose a bird, then forever swear to clip their birds. I've lost a bird as well, due to my own stupidity, I'll admit (I was 12? maybe 13?), but that hasn't stopped me from deciding that flight is still in the birds best interest. It just made me take more precautions to make sure it didn't happen again, when I decided to allow my birds flight.



Having Kiwi flighted may or may not help. You may find that Kiwi may become more difficult to handle and/or more difficult to get back into his cage if he enjoys spending time with you, which will require more training. He'll also have the option to fly to you rather than having to be picked up. He may become more dependent on you (flies to you *a lot*) or may become more independent.

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm one of those people that takes extra pre-cautions when my babies are out and about. I have never lost a bird before, but I did almost lose one many years ago. He was clipped so he can glide so the heavy wind came up and he took off flying way up in the trees. But I was able to retrieve him to give him my regular clip. That was one of the chicks that I've raised and they go to their new homes clipped as I believe it is safer for a new owner to have a clipped bird. But I don't clip any of my adults and I keep them flighted. I only clip when it is necessary....

 

[lene1949]

I also hate seeing owners lose a bird, then forever swear to clip their birds

I did the opposite... I lost a clipped bird, and I swore I would never clip a bird again... If they were going to escape, they would have to be flighted to give them a bit of a chance of surviving... I did get my bird back, after he was in the wild for a whole agonising week...

Having flighted birds keeps you on your toes, and you don't just open the door, when someone knocks, unless you know exactly where everyone is.

If I had a house full of kids running in and out all day, I would clip or limit the birds' time out of cage...

I live alone and have full control over doors and windows in my house, and I love seeing my birds fly... I don't think there is a more beautiful sight...

 

[NWQuakers]

Both our birds can still manage a little elevation even clipped, so we keep on eye on them anyway. We also have 3 cats and 2 dogs, plus a wood stove, so we don't often leave the birds out of their cage without a person on hand. Since they are aware they are clipped, they usually stay on their cage or play area, instead of roaming throughout the house and possibly into feline trouble.

I do know that we don't plan to be bird people forever. When Mark goes we'll try to adopt an older quaker to keep Lucky company and to give a good home to a senior bird. But at some point we plan not to have birds of any kind (aside from chickens, which are a whole nother critter). It's too stressful, and the logistics for us are tough.

It's nice to know so many people are working so hard to provide wonderful environments for their fids though.