Clipping wings

[Mamma Soke]

Pugsley is my 6-7 week old pigeon. We got him at K-mart (see the 'What have I gotten myself into' thread) I was talking to a friend who asked if I'd be clipping Pugsley's wings. To be honest I haven't thought about it. My first instinct is to say no (preceded by some minor profanity) because it sounds as horrible as declawing a cat, but then it was pointed out that him being a good sized bird for a house, it might be best if he cant fly all that well so he doesn't hurt himself flying in the house. Since he isn't going outside he wont have to escape from anything but me so restricted flight would actually be better for him.

I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it and I don't know how its done or if it hurts and the long term effects. Any suggestions?

Shelley

[PigeonFinder]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm sure many on this board would protest, but I think if clipping the wings of your bird makes life easier (for both of you), then I say go for it. I think for any animal you take in there are trade-offs. Sure, your pigeon won't have unrestricted flight, but he'll have a nice, warm home, medical care, clean food and water, etc. Just like with cats. What's better? A declawed cat who's warm and happy in a home with a good owner who loves it? Or a clawed cat with a scratching problem who doesn't have a home and is put down in a shelter because of it? Of course, in a perfect world, the owner wouldn't care if the furniture gets scratched up, but that's not reality.

Eden

[TAWhatley]

Wing clipping is not at all painful for birds. It is somewhat like us having our hair cut or trimming our nails. Your biggest concern is to be careful that you don't clip a blood feather. The clipping can also be done in such a way that it is "cosmetically" perfect .. you can't really tell by looking.

I think the decision to clip or not to clip is strictly up to you.

Here are some links to good articles about wing clipping:

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/clip.html

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

http://www.parrottalk.com/wings.html


Terry Whatley




[This message has been edited by TAWhatley (edited November 12, 2002).]

[hilary]

In my opinion, clipping a bird's wings is cruel. Imagine being denied the use of your legs.

Hilary

[maryco]

I agree, I never cliped my Tooty's wings and he was just fine... He could fly around the apt, up and down from the door and everything was fine.

Mary

Originally posted by hilary:
In my opinion, clipping a bird's wings is cruel. Imagine being denied the use of your legs.

Hilary

[Inti]

The good thing about wing clipping is that it is not permanent, once the bird finishes molting it will be full flight again. As Terry stated you want to be careful of blood feathers. While the feathers are growing they are engorged with blood, once the growing is done the blood supply will cut off from the feather, that is when you can cut the feathers. Only cut the feathers on one wing.

My pigeon was injured in the wild and only has half of one wing. It's hard for him because he will flap his wings and seems confused as to why he cannot fly. On the other hand I have two house sparrows who I let out in the evenings who fly through the house just fine with no serious mishaps. My sparrows are 12 and 8 so they are old pros at getting around.

You do have to watch that the full flighted birds don't go out the door and the non-flighted birds don't get stepped on. They can get under foot quite easy.

Mary

[bluebell]

Hi Shelley
I don't believe it should be necessary to clip the little fellas wings. Pugsley should be fine how he is. He won't fly into things and hurt himself, pigeons are quite coordinated. Leave it for the moment and see how he goes. I reckon he'll appreciate it if you don't.

cya
David

[Mamma Soke]

Many thanks to everyone for the replies. Since pigeons apparently dont have too much truble running into things I think what I'll do is wait and see if he is a problem before deciding to clip or not to clip.

Thank you again
Ma

[AZWhitefeather]

Good morning All,
I do agree with Terry, in that it is certainly the decision of the owner wheather to have their birds wings clipped.
The three articles Terry offered are worth reading. The middle article, Birds 'N' Way, did bring out some good examples of possible 'house hazards'. If clipped properly (I would certainly have a professional do it) the bird is still able to fly about. Not to great speeds, heights or distances, just the same able to fly & land without causing injury.
I believe one of the articles stated both wings should be clipped. If only one is clipped this will handicap it's maneuvering.
If, by clipping the wings, this would eliminate the bird from flying at all, I would agree not to have it done. I guess it all depends on the circumstances.
Cindy

[TAWhatley]

Bumping up for Weasel.

Terry Whatley

[Christina Coughlin]

I believe both ways...

For some birds, wing clipping is cruel but, for some there is no choice.

I have done a gradual clip on some of my very bossy pigeons and it just slows them down a bit but they can fly just as well as before, only slower.

I have some parrots that are not clipped and have never had a problem but, I have a older male Molucan Cockatoo and a 10 year old Bare eyed Cockatoo that would seriously injure all of us as well as them selves if they were flighted. Then again, my wild caught Goffin's id doing wonderful flighted and only flies off occasionally. We just are cautious of doors.

Large flighted birds do great indoors if they have boundries. I usually clip them once, teach them were they can perch and land, to come when called and other basic stuff for a flighted bird and then once the feathers grow out it works well, just make sure YOU can handle it.

Christina

[maryco]

I don't clip my pigeons' wings, It would feel un-natural for them if they were unable to fly up to high places.

Even with clipping I think the bird can still fly/escape. I had a indian ringnecked parakeet and he could fly even when we did cip his wings.

He even escaped once and went flying a block away where I ran after him to finally climb up on someone's house and get him back... Boy was that a headache
He is safe now though and living with my grandparents.

Mary

[Scuiry]

Originally posted by Mamma Soke:

Pugsley is my 6-7 week old pigeon. We got him at K-mart (see the 'What have I gotten myself into' thread) I was talking to a friend who asked if I'd be clipping Pugsley's wings. To be honest I haven't thought about it. My first instinct is to say no (preceded by some minor profanity) because it sounds as horrible as declawing a cat, but then it was pointed out that him being a good sized bird for a house, it might be best if he cant fly all that well so he doesn't hurt himself flying in the house. Since he isn't going outside he wont have to escape from anything but me so restricted flight would actually be better for him.

I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it and I don't know how its done or if it hurts and the long term effects. Any suggestions?

Shelley

The only thing I'd worry about are hazards. A bird can injure or kill itself if it falls without flight capability. The other hazard is stepping on a pigeon accidentally. I've had the first heartache happen to me but not the second.

Daniel

[Scuiry]

Originally posted by Scuiry:

The only thing I'd worry about are hazards. A bird can injure or kill itself if it falls without flight capability. The other hazard is stepping on a pigeon accidentally. I've had the first heartache happen to me but not the second.

Daniel

I should have added: On a positive note it does help taming them. But you have to work with them often for it to work.

Daniel

[teply]

I can only tell you my experience with a pigeon that was hand fed for about a week.He sleeps in a box and spends most of his time in the same box. I let him out in the afternoon and he flies around very little and has never had any trouble with windows or breaking things.
If you plan to let him lose in the house you should do so when he is young so he gets use to windows.
I don't see any reason to clip his wings . You'll enjoy seeing him fly when he's allowed to come out of his cage.


------------------
teply