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Trim or not to trim keets wings2007-11-24 17:16:27

I have 2 parakeets. I want to clip their wings so they could sit on my shoulders and fingers. But I have a cat. I only let my keets fly in the bathroom. They're safe from my cat. Should I clip their wings or not?

Answers:

I disagree with wing clipping in many cases because flying is the best way birds exercise, especially caged house pets. If they're not flying, climbing and walking doesn't effectively make up for the lack of exercise they would get flying. This may lead to obesity or weak muscles. I agree with the answerer who said to actually lock your cat up when you want to take them out.

If you want them to sit with you, gain their trust. It's a long process, but very rewarding in the end. The easiest way to get a "quick fix", I suppose, is to bribe them into realizing that sitting with you isn't so bad. Use treats and offer it to them to sit on your finger or shoulder and eat; don't just let them take it and run away.

If you are to clip their wings, do a light clip (a couple of primaries and/or secondaries; have a vet show you a "light clip" first so you don't accidentally clip too far and potentially cause the birds to bleed to death) where they can still gain flight and break their own fall when they hit a surface. Never clip the wings crookedly because this will cause the birds to be off-balance walking as well as flying, and they'll drop like rocks, which can injure them horribly and bust their tiny internal organs.

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If you are only going to take them out when you know someone isn't going to accidently let the cat in then clip them-I clipped my lovebirds wings but I had a bird friendly cat-good luck

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Lock the cat up in the bathroom (or wherever) when you want the birds to come out of their cages. And yes, clip their wings. Fully flighted budgies flying around do tend to look like little flying pizzas to cats and if they bang into a wall or land badly, they can injure or kill themselves.

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IMO - I think it's bad enough that people keep pets in cages, and to clip their wings too..I just don't like it. I know it doesn't physically hurt the birds, but don't do it. How would you like for someone to chop the ends of your fingers off? Try putting the cat in the bathroom for a little while and let your birds fly around your house with a little freedom and safe from the cats.

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I believe trimming wings is cruel. To take something natural away from a bird. [my oppion]You can always buy harnesses and leashes. You put them on when you want to play with them and take them off when your done. Heres a site and hope this helps.

http://www.mybirdstore.com/feather_tethe...

Very safe site to order from.

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i think you should i have a cat and a bird and my birds wings are clipped they have never even seen each other. As for all the people who say clipping wings is wrong my friend though that until he parakeet broke a blood vessial from smashing into a wall but it is your decision not mine so go ahead and do what you feel is right