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Risks Of Clipped Wings

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Well I was putting clean water in for the budgies last night and I noticed some blood spots Finnegan. I couldn't see a source on him so started looking around the cage. There were "globs" on the shower curtain I have at the back of the cage. And several of the budgies (Sylvester/Tweety/Tazzy) had blood all over their wings. I did a head count to make sure they were all there thinking that maybe the cat had gotten one (even though the cage was closed). They were all there.

 

All I can figure is that they had a night fright the previous night and the feathers that were growing in after being clipped all broke off. I gave them baths to clean them up and make sure the bleeding had stopped.

 

I'm worried now about this happening again as the feathers grow in. I think I"m going to set them up in the smaller cages until their feathers grow back and never clip again. YIKES!

Not for arguement sake but either way the feathers could have broke? I glad everyone is okay how scary.

Very true, bloodfeathers can break just as easily when they're not clipped as when they are. Either way, they're new feathers growing in with a blood supply. Clipping doesn't change that at all. Whether you clip them again or leave them flighted, try to have cornstarch around in case it happens again so you can stop the bleeding quickly. It's also good to have a thorough look at them to make sure none of the broken feathers are still partly in place. They could be reopened and bleed again. If you find a feather shaft still in place, have your vet pull it out (he/she can show you how to do it yourself for future reference).

 

I'm glad they're okay too.

Edited by eterri

Shawna do you know what could be causing these night frights you have them before too? You said you have a cat does it jump on the cage after they are covered or during the night? I ask because my cat will jump on the cage when it is covered at night so she is locked out of the room at night time.

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Well I figured a single feather sticking out was more likely to break then when there are numerous feathers grouped together. I know when I got Bella and clipped her when the first feather grew back in on each wing it broke off very easily.

 

As for the cat, no she can't jump on the cage. She rarely goes in the room they are in. I'm not sure what causes the night frights. I didn't think they were having them anymore since I put them in the new room. I certainly hadn't heard any. I'm not even sure that is what happened but can't figure out what else it might have been.

 

All are well tonight and have settled down for hopefully a quiet evening.

:ausb: Glad they are okay, is there a night light in the room? I think having one keeps these kind of episodes to a minimum. Since I have nightmares at times, wonder if they do as well. All I know is if one bird gets upset, all birds and species go nuts as well. :bluebudgie:

Well I figured a single feather sticking out was more likely to break then when there are numerous feathers grouped together. I know when I got Bella and clipped her when the first feather grew back in on each wing it broke off very easily.

 

As for the cat, no she can't jump on the cage. She rarely goes in the room they are in. I'm not sure what causes the night frights. I didn't think they were having them anymore since I put them in the new room. I certainly hadn't heard any. I'm not even sure that is what happened but can't figure out what else it might have been.

 

All are well tonight and have settled down for hopefully a quiet evening.

 

 

Just a few thoughts about the night frights for you to consider...first off, do you cover the cage? Does the cover completely cover the cage, or is there any space at the bottom the birds could see out of if they were down there? If you cover them, does the cover block out all light, or is it thin enough that they could see any shadows from movement outside the cage? Is there a window near their cage? Shadows from trees or leaves moving outside the window could spook them. Do you have any animals that might either be in the same room with them at night or could be heard by them (ie hamsters)? When they have night frights, do you go into their room, turn on the lights, and/or uncover them until they are settled again? How many birds are in the cage?

 

I used to use a night light too, but have not had one in their room in some time. If you suspect they are seeing shadows from something at night, the night light may be a good idea to at least try if you don't have one. I stopped using one when I moved, but I use a new cover now also (this one actually covers the entire cage so they can't see out at the bottom).

 

Hopefully they don't have any more. It really wakes you up a lot quicker than you would like at 3 am, doesn't it?

Shawna if you check out e-bay they have different types of covers that block out the light entirely, I bet even a fabric shop would have them. They are made out of velvet like material and it is darkening. If they are seeing shadows the night light should be bright enough because that could even enhance the shadows.

 

I remember you said before you covered them and tried the night light but not sure what you are doing recently. Plus since it is lighter later in the day yes? because of the time change that could have some impact too?

 

Trying to help you out with solutions. Because the solution is not not to clip them if you want them more contrable in your home but to find out why and stop the frights. :D

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Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 

Well the current state of affairs is that I don't cover the cage. When I used to cover the cage they had night frights all the time. Even with the night light. So I stopped. I moved them out of the room with a tv because I thought the flickering of the tv might be causing them. They are in a room adjacent to our kitchen so get the light from that. I usually leave the light over my sink on. My cage is almost 5 feet long and 3 feet high with cages on top now so isn't easy to cover. I may rig up something with velcro. But if the situation is as before covering will make things worse.

in the room do you have a window? Can you make the room darker with curtains that may be a better solution.

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