Post by kmic on Jul 13, 2014 13:40:22 GMT
I'm currently fostering a baby cockatiel for 3 days (before it goes to its permanent home) - he (or she) is absolutelyyyyyy adorable! I already love him to bits and haven't had him for more than 24 hours. He loves attention and wants to stay on someone as much as possible. He's extremely playful and I just love how he wants to stay on me for the sake of staying on me.
His new owner wanted to clip him because she's afraid he'll run away when the door's open, so I told the breeder to show me how. But he insisted that it's best to only trim one side so that the bird loses balance and is not able to fly far. Is this the right way to clip birds? As far as I know you should clip both sides equally. Although he trimmed quite a lot from one side, he's still able to fly the length of two rooms without any problem and perch on a curtain rod close to ceiling. I.e. the clipping didn't really limit his flying.
Also, how can you know if there are blood feathers? I'm afraid that when clipping him I'll touch a blood feather (his new owner would like me to clip his wings myself in the future..).
His new owner wanted to clip him because she's afraid he'll run away when the door's open, so I told the breeder to show me how. But he insisted that it's best to only trim one side so that the bird loses balance and is not able to fly far. Is this the right way to clip birds? As far as I know you should clip both sides equally. Although he trimmed quite a lot from one side, he's still able to fly the length of two rooms without any problem and perch on a curtain rod close to ceiling. I.e. the clipping didn't really limit his flying.
Also, how can you know if there are blood feathers? I'm afraid that when clipping him I'll touch a blood feather (his new owner would like me to clip his wings myself in the future..).
I think I'll get someone to hold him and clip both sides
I actually was very determined that he (now named Spikey) will be home for those 3 days only (and babysitting purposes), and that no other bird will replace him - that I'll stick to my 5 budgies till they start fighting over Tequila and I'll have to get more boys.. But my family are in love with him and want one badly. But we won't get one for now as we're going abroad this summer. Deep down although I'd love one, I have mixed feelings coz I'm not sure I have enough time for a hand tame bird who wants attention.. Although I know my budgies are really happy coz they have each other and really seem to be enjoying their days out of the cage, I am not even managing to spend time with them everyday... Having said that, while Spikey was here, everone gave him attention and brought him out of the cage. But I cannot trust that that will continue even when the "newness" of having a hand tame bird dies out.. So yes, I do have mixed feelings.