How to clip parrotlet wings?

Question

any pointers, ( iknow to take it to the vet, but i wanted suggestions also how long can they go without food or water. Just wanted to know incase anything happends thanks

Answer 1

It is easier to do if you have never done this before to have someone help you. Always be careful trimming parrotlet wings because they wiggle- and have tiny legs, those little legs always dart out in front of the scissors. So have someone help you hold your bird.

Hold out the wing...the long feathers that hang down from the tip of the wing to mid-wing are primary flight feathers. The shorter feathers that go from mid-wing toward the body of the bird are secondary flight feathers. I clip the edges off of the primary flights usually going from the outside of the bird in. I clip at a slant so that the birds feathers don't rub or fray when growing back in. Some people leave the first and second flight feather intact so that the bird can glide if it falls to the ground. I cut all the feathers, we have had to many close calls with birds getting lift with even a couple flights left. If your bird can still fly with the primarys clipped, then trim the secondarys too. Some birds are better at flying than others. I have a quaker that I have to trim all of his flights. Don't trim the coverts- these are the second row of feathers that cover the flight feathers.

Parrotlets should never be left with no food or water for any lenght of time. They are extremely high energy birds needing lot's of food and water a day. If you travel with your bird and can not give it a water bowl, cut grapes, strawberries or soak whole corn cobs in water over night and put these in your birds cage.

Answer 2

Usually after clipping wings there should be anything wrong. The bird might feel a little disoriented and will try to fly(if its already fledged) but it will soon realize that it can no longer fly. he should be fine unless the feathers were improperly clipped which most of the time will just cause the bird to have cut feather shafts that will stick out and irritate him.  I have a lovebird and his feathers are just starting to regrow and ive decided i never want to clip them again...it was to painful to watch or do and since Ive already taken the freedom of being outside form him i figured i should give him the right to fly.

Answer 3

AROUND EVERY 3 MONTHS DEPENDS ON YOUR BIRDS GROWTH AND BIRDS CANT LIVE LONG WITHOUT  WATER OR FOOD.