WING CLIPPING DO'S and DONT'S
There are so many inexperienced persons out there doing botch jobs on poor defensless birds and rendering them in pain if not worse.
The main thing is if you are not confident at clipping your birds wings then take it to a qualified person. This doesn't neccessarily mean your local vet, as often non avian vets are also the ones doing these botch jobs.
Don't assume because a pet shop sells birds that they know how to clip their wings because in 9 out of 10 cases THEY DON'T!!!
The best thing to do is take your pet to an avian vet where your bird will not only get its wings clipped it will get a good once over while it's there.
Alternately source a reputable breeder (through the numerous bird clubs around), that handrears babies and sells pets. These breeders are more likely to know what they are doing. There is also a growing list at the bottom of this page of people that are able to clip wings correctly.
Always always ask first how they intend to clip your precious babies wings. If the intent is to only clip 1 wing then LEAVE or insist that they do both.
Clipping one wing on a bird is just like sending a plane into the air with 1 full wing and 1 broken one - would you fly on that plane??? They are unable to balance or land safely and can severely injure themselves trying to do so and then you will be visiting that vet I mentioned earlier but the bill will be a lot higher.
A properly clipped bird should be able to take off from a height and glide safely to the ground - not drop.
The bird should be unable to get from the ground up to any great height. This in known in laymans terms as removing the ability from bird to get LIFT. Your bird can still fundametally fly but it is very restricted in it's ability to do so properly.
Anyway that's enough of my ramblings on the subject. Don't forget to email me if you want to be added to the list.
Depending on the body type of the bird, different wing trims methods can be used.
Figure 1 shows a suggested trim for a strong flying bird, such as cockatiels, conures, quakers, lorikeets or budgerigars. These birds are very difficult to ground, even with very invasive wing trims. Heavy-bodied birds that are accomplished flyers may also require this trim, as do many cockatoos.
Figure 2 shows a suggested wing trim for a young or heavy-bodied bird, such as an African Grey, Macaw, Amazon, Caique, or Senegal Parrot. This trim is easy to grow out, protects growing feathers, provides maximum maneuverability to the ground and limited ability to gain lift.
The alternative to any form of Wing Clipping is the use of a harness. WPP uses and recommends the Prestige brand Feather Tether harness. Although the style used for the smaller birds is not recommended by us, as it is based on the old figure 8 style and can in some cases act like a slip knot if not placed on the bird correctly.
We at WPP prefer to clip the wings of smaller birds and harness train the larger birds should this be neccessary.
The best way to clip is with 2 people - 1 person is capable of clipping however if you are a learner it is best to operate with 2 people until your confidence levels increase.
Person 1 holds the bird facing away from person 2 (the mean one with the scissors) if neccessary use a towel to place over the bird to act as a calming method.
Person 1 will need to hold out 1 wing with person two cutting the individual feathers as indicated by the dotted line in figures 1 and 2.
Person 1 then holds out the other wing and the process is repeated.
Remember DO NOT cut any further back up the feather shaft than the next row of feathers as this can injure your bird.
Once done your bird is clipped and should be able to safely move about without causing him or herself an injury.
If you find you have followed figure 2 and your bird can still fly well then repeat the process using figure 1.
LIST OF COMPETENT WING CLIPPERS
|
SUBURB
|
STATE
|
NAME
|
CONTACT
|
PRICE
|
| Bayview Heights |
Queensland |
Robyn Kanacki |
07 4033 2468 |
FREE |
| Braken Ridge |
Queensland |
Jo-Anne Watts |
07 3269 9590 |
$5.00 |
| Buddina |
Queensland |
Renee O'Sullivan |
07 5452 5152
0438 718 712 |
$5.00 |
| Macgregor |
Queensland |
Dr. Deborah Monks (Vet) |
07 3420 6773 |
$26.50 after a once only consult fee. |
| Northgate |
Queensland |
Michelle Walker |
07 3260 6508 |
$5.00 |
| Sunnybank Hills |
Queensland |
Maureen Blair |
07 3344 2910 |
$5.00 |
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Please email me with your details if you wish to be added to the list.
