Bought a pretty pet store budgie to complete our large outdoor aviary?

Question

It turns out that the wings are clipped so close that this poor bird drops right to the ground. She tried climbing the sides and trying to fly, but hit the ground hard. I was very concerned for her safety. I gave the pet store (local owned) a call and will never return there due to this horrific job. As for the bird, we've brought her inside to a smaller safer cage where she won't injure herself. I've never clipped wings on birds, and am fairly new (1 year) to budgies (although I've had other birds growing up.) How long does it take for a molt including flight wings? We've had her a month. She is fairly young. I will not buy any more pet store birds, the rest I got from a local hobbiest. Thanks!

Answer 1

Regarding the previous answer, please ask an avian veterinarian about the safety of pulling feathers if you intend to try this, and please don't do it yourself. Pulling a feather incorrectly is risky, as it may injure the blood vessels just underneath the skin, and cause severe bleeding and rapid death.

I am sorry that her wings are clipped too short -- I would recommend keeping her in a smaller cage until her flight feathers grow back. I've had several budgies molt their flight feathers only four to six weeks after their wings were (properly) clipped, although most did take notably longer to molt and regrow their flight feathers. Good luck!

Answer 2

It will be several months before the feathers molt out and regrow. You can pull the cut feathers and they will grow back in six weeks.