Rate of Feather Growth

[spiritbird]

As most of you know my two Linnies have clipped wings. Tango came to me with 5 flights clipped so I have not seen her fly. A little while after she arrived I had Kobe's wings clipped because he was frightening Tango flying all around. I admit that was a mistake because for almost 4 months now they have not been able to fly. Each morning I look for the clipped feathers that have fallen. Kobe has grown out all but two on each side so he is able to fly a very short distance again. Tango is showing no indications of molting out the clipped flights yet. She was clipped before Kobe was by about 2 to 3 weeks. This leaves me wondering why such a different rate of feather growth between the two birds of same species. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I think new feathers may be produced by some sort of subconscious "on demand". Maybe Kobe, used to having full flight feathers, immediately put in an order for some new ones when they got clipped whereas Tango, having always been clipped, hasn't seen the need to replace them.
Just a theory.:th_smile:

[spiritbird]

I hope that is not the case but you just never know when it comes to birds.

[Mare]

I was wondering the same thing, Dianne! Little Jellybean has been practicing flight and is getting quite good but she needs her flight feathers to really take off. My guess is they molt around twice a year and until that molt comes around..they are doomed to being flightless:(

[spiritbird]

Yes sad to say clipped birds are not such happy birds because they cannot do what comes naturally.

[kendrafitz]

Rosie seems to replace each feather once a year. She loses them slowly all year long. That's about all I know about feather growth. :)

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I think Casper waited until he got a bulk deal at the feather supermarket when he moulted/broke most of his tail feathers, leaving just the two outers for a while.

[spiritbird]

I am concerned that Kobe has gotten too heavy to fly. They do gain weight when they are clipped. He was out today but could fly only about 2 feet off the ground. I put a bird ladder from the floor up to the cage and they both managed to get into the cage. This was a first for them. He has two more to grow back in on each side.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

We get Casper to hang on to a finger as we move our arm about. Holding the arm up and then dropping it gets him flapping. He has to flap his wings to keep up as we spin around till we are both dizzy. Excellent exercise and flying practice.

[kendrafitz]

Jean-Pierre - I do the same with Rosie. She loves it! :)

[Mare]

Cockatoos fly, no matter which kind of cockatoo..be it Umbrella, goffins or cockatiel..these guys fly! Even with clipped wings,,they fly, or try really hard :). If I have an over weight bird, it might be Sassy but she looks great. All her feathers are back and beautiful and have been there for quite awhile, (knock on wood). This is the longest amount of time that she's gone without picking on herself :)

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Good girl Sassy! :goodjob: