Wha's Your Opinion

[spiritbird]

Clipped wings or Not Clipped Wings?


Birds are really hobbled when they cannot fly normally. May spend most of their out of cage time on the floor which can be a dangerous place. If you have other pets its just not safe to have your clipped bird out of cage. They do not get as much exercise so they may gain weight or their appetite is less because they are not flying. All around they seem to be much happier when able to fly. If humans had wings would you want them trimmed? I doubt it very much.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I don't think Casper needs his wings clipped. He thinks I need my fingers clipped... using his beak. :th_smile:

Seriously though, its a case of trust and love. Does your bird love you enough not to want to fly away and do you trust him not to. Does your bird trust you to protect him but do you love him so much that it outweighs your trust in him.

If you think they need their wings clipped ask yourself why that is so and correct the problem rather than preventing your bird from doing what is natural to them.

[Lady]

I would like for all birds to have their wings intact, it is how they are born. It is true that most companion birds do not get to use their wings to the fullest extent but at least they should have them.

[Mare]

Some may say that for selfish reasons the wings should be clipped so's I can handle my bird. Holy Moly, how do you justify this when a bird is born to fly? Personally, I'm at a loss with humanity at the moment..

[kendrafitz]

Rosie is no longer clipped. Her feathers have all grown in (shocker, with the way she molts.)

I see both sides of the coin. The store I got her from is very pro clip. Too many birds fly away or get hurt so keep them clipped is their stance. My vet didn't seem to have an opinion until our last visit. Then it was against clipping.

So we don't clip anymore. The flip side is Rosie doesn't really get outside time anymore. She flew off once when she got spooked while I was carrying her to her outdoor cage. A hawk was circling and I thought I was going to have a stroke. Luckily it ended well. But I am not willing to take that chance again. My vet said they are fine being inside as long as they are with you. So I am going with that. I do bring her out occasionally in a small dog crate but she doesn't have a lot of room. So it is a once in a while thing.

[spiritbird]

I bet Rosie would love an outdoor aviary but not everyone has the room or the finances.

Here is a very good article on this subject. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

I think this web page should be in all bird owners favorites. There is very good information on a variety of topics.

[Mare]

Kendra, I fully understand where you are coming from. Having such a large bird banging around the inside of the home is an issue, too, I'm sure. I just think that when we clip their wings it takes away some of their dignity..

[kendrafitz]

Agreed...both to Dianne and Mare.

[spiritbird]

I really do not see where it is easier to take a clipped bird. I think many breeders do this before baby goes to a new home.

[Mare]

Little Jellybean has her new flights coming in and can get around a room pretty well. She does bang into windows, now and then but because she is so lightweight, it hasn't seemed to hurt her and she has so much more confidence in her self :)

[Lady]

One of the most awesome things to see is a bird spread their wings!

[spiritbird]

Did you all catch the video I just posted? Lots of wing spreading room in a 1 acre aviary.

[Cedardave]

We are breeders,but all our birds are unclipped.Of course you don't ever want to clip a breeding pair.We sent our babies to their new homes mfully flighted and spend a lot of time with their new families explaining the househols dangers that they need to avoid.We train our birds to remain with their caregivers and not take flight.This isn't to say yhey never will....all of our pet birds also have full flight,and so far will not take flight unless we allow so.Alot of the clip or no clip can be a safety issue for bird owners.Your bird ...your choice.But birds are ment to have flight...that's why they have wings.Particularly in the early days of a birds development,clipping can be very detrimental to their overall well being.They need to learn what they are capable of....its as simple as that.