Cupid and Psyche are now members of the clipped bird club.

 

I finally decided with the help of people here (thank you!) that we have looked at the situation from all angles and that clipping IS the lesser of all evils for the time being.

 

I'm not sure who had a worse time of it, Psyche, or Jared. *(Laughing out loud)* She was screaming like we were killing her, but she also was chewing on his fingers mercilessly - drew blood in a few places even. She had a blood feather, so I couldn't get a totally symmetrical cut on her, and unfortunately, we'll have to check her soon to see if we can cut them (the blood and the one I left to help protect it). Cupid was kind of afraid, but a trooper about it. They both were kind of freaking out afterwards, preening like mad, like "What happened to my wings? Where are my feathers?!" They have relaxed now and are both sleeping.

 

I thought it was really sweet though - Jared almost started to get teary eyed when we were done! But after I talked to him about everything that everyone has said, he felt better. I think he'll appreciate it even more when the benefits are shown. I didn't want to work with them too much or stress them out even more tonight, but they did feel safe enough to eat some millet from my hand. I didn't push it though.

That's good and hopefully things go a whole lot better. Always remember that the wings will grow back so it's not permanent. The family that adopted one of my babies (Lemon) usually have her full flighted but have to clip her a couple of times a year when she gets ?hormonal and out of control, and it really calms her down.

I'm pleased to hear that the clipping went well for everyone except Jared :fear I'm also glad that the posts of forum members helped Jared to see that it was a good thing for them right now.

 

 

 

Feathers.

I remember when we took Merlin in for a check-up the vet said now you may hear noises you never heard before out of him because he swabbed his throat etc... Hardly a peep (Laughing out loud) and the wing clip was so quick. :fear I think you will find you will be more pleased with them clipped it gives them quite the attitude adjustment per the vet. Also the first couple days give them time to adjust because the do believe they can still fly so watch out for the hard landings to the ground.

Yeah, Cupid has come out a couple of times already and he's still getting used to his new wings. Its kinda funny, but after several mad, barely controlled hops about the room, he's glad to be picked up and brought back to his cage. He's even up for kisses already! We'll see how Psyche goes; I haven't had a chance to work with her yet.

Yay, happy for you (and the kisses) they will start to look at you in a whole different llight now.

I compare flighted budgies to cats- they kinda look at you funny and only see you when THEY want to- where clipped birds are a little more dependant and remind me of dogs more (hey its late, I have weird thoughts when I'm tired!!)

I can understand the differences between dogs and cats seen in budgies. Cupid is very okay with stepping up when he's out of the cage now. Psyche will readily eat millet when I hold it up for her. I'm trying not to push her and give her any reason to not trust us. She seems more wary than usual. Not her stand up thin and tall scared, but there's something different about her. Heh maybe the difference between a scared cat trying to hide and a scared dog that wants loves.

 

Both of Cupid's wings are being held up and are twitchy now. I'm wondering if having them held out for the trimming irritated them or if he tried too hard to fly the first couple of times he was out and overworked them. I just hope that it isn't something from flying into the window taking almost a week to show up.

Merlin did the same thing it probably feels different having them clipped and if he is doing it after he tried to fly it is normal. Just like when you cut your hair and it feels lighter or different.

Edited April 24, 200718 yr by Elly

thats great... it will be easy to tame them now.

Elly, how long did it take for Merlin's wings to settle down?

 

We did the clipping Sunday evening and now its Tuesday afternoon and he's still being bothered by them. He does it almost constantly, as opposed to just after using them. Psyche doesn't seem to be bothered at all.

Edited April 24, 200718 yr by armchairangel

I say a week before he adjusted to the feel of them but if you see other signs of sickness then I could be concerned. I am always worried now since Pretty died about Merlin. They are starting to grow back and he just had them clipped 5 weeks ago (I think it is because we clipped right before his molt). Who would have thought.

That's good to hear - that it can take up to a week for them to settle into the new wings. It just seemed so odd since it hasn't bothered Psyche at all except for the first few minutes. He does seem to be as active as usual, as flirty, as good of an appetite, etc. I'll keep an eye on him though. Thanks!