Clipping a Parakeet?

Question

I got two parakeets three days ago, and I want to clip them, for safety and easier to tame. They are about three months old. I am really afraid to clip them, because I am afraid of blood feathers. Clipping their wings cost $15 here, which cost more than the bird itself. Any advice?

Answer 1

Leave their wings alone!!

WHY would you buy a bird if you did NOT want it to fly?

Safety for WHOM?  If it can't fly well it can NOT escape a predator, like a cat.

A bird, or any animal, is easy to tame ONLY if it TRUSTS you.  

IF your birds trust you they will eventually come and sit on your hand, shoulder, head, etc. on their own by FLYING to you when out of their cage.

  

I no longer have birds, except chickens, but at one time I had two peregrine falcons that were well trained for HUNTING.  OBVIOUSLY, their wings were never clipped.

They preferred their meat raw, but would fly over and 'ask' for some of my hamburger occasionally.  They were actually quite polite and friendly to those they knew.

Once trained, I never needed a gauntlet, except when hunting, in order to handle them.  (They identified the gauntlet with going hunting, which they loved!)

By the way, at the time I lived in San Francisco, and they 'practiced' on pigeons.

Answer 2

as a bird owner, I say pay the $15. They're professionals and are less likely to hurt the bird. However, you can learn to clip their wings, but it is best to earn their trust first. If you do learn, watch out for those tricky blood feathers (if you do break one, just pull it out by the quill. )

Answer 3

...I have no clue what blood feathers are, but if your worried about harming the parakeet, then I suggest, (no matter what the cost) to get it done by professionals.

:/ Sorry, you might have just lost $30.00. lol!

Answer 4

The thing with clipping the birds is to cut the FEATHER part, not up the shaft and close to the skin.  To avoid blood feathers, do it after the feathers have grown fully after a moult.  There is still an active blood supply in the growing feather if you see a white or purple sheath around the base of the feather.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww19eii...

http://www.budgies.org/info/trim.html

Notice in the second link that only the very outermost feathers, the primaries, have been trimmed and that there is still a good amount of 'feather' left (probably about half).  Compare to the diagram of the first link showing the secondaries totally intact (can tell as they are rounded).  That's all it takes to diminish the flight of these birds.  Too much clipping and you risk hurting your budgies as they crash-land into the ground.

For YOUR own safety, since you just got them three days ago and are more than likely untrained to you, wear some leather gloves and have all tools within reach.  This way, you won't be as nervous, and you'll keep a steadier hand when trimming the feathers.  Or you can wear the gloves and hold the bird down, gently pull out a wing, and have someone else trim the feathers.

Answer 5

if you want to try,  go ahead,  just trim an 1/2 of an inch for the first clip do not go more then that.  if you do more you will hurt the bird..  after you clip him just play with the or rub them so they  will get used to you touching their winds..  be careful

Answer 6

um pay the 15 bucks! u dont wanna hurt it do u?...

or keep them in the cage until u get the money to get them clipped. simple as that!

u wanted a bird.. do whats best for it.

Answer 7

I think you should wait a little while before you start clipping the feathers. Let the birds get used to their new home, and you, and their new surroundings. Maybe another couple weeks or so...also when they're getting used to things, I suggest not to take them out of their cage and start to play. Your birds are probably very scared right now, and need time to adjust. :)

I have a parakeet, and when Bella's feathers needed clipping, I first took her to the veternarian. She taught me how to clip the feathers. She said that clipping a bird's feathers is just like getting your hair cut...it doesn't hurt!! Also, you have to hold you bird correctly, and know where to make the cut.

        

        1. Get a towel and pick up your bird, turn him/her over while still in the towel. Wrap your fingers around the bird's neck...but don't squeeze! Your bird will still be able to breathe, trust me!

        2. When your bird is on his/her back...he/she will scream and make alot of noises. They don't like to be on their back...this is normal. Don't worry.

        3. (http://members.cox.net/jmodwyer/wingclip...           A diagram to show where to cut the parakeet's feathers...helps alot with your first time :)) Gently pull out one of the bird's wings till it's all the way out. Get a friend, relative, or someone you trust to carefully snip the bottoms of the wings. DO NOT CUT THE OUTER 2 FEATHERS!!  How much you cut off affects how much your bird will be able to fly around. (A regular pair of scissors around the house will work fine)

        4.  Cut the other side the same way you cut the first one

Once again, your bird will squak and make all these noises while being held on it's back and this is normal. How much the wing is cut will affect the flying of your bird. After the wings are clipped, and you let your bird fly, he/she probably won't fly very high/far.

Plus...(just adding)...I now clip Bella's feathers on my own, and it's no big deal! You just have to get the hang of it :)