Things You'll Need
- Pair of Scissors
Instructions
If you ask 10 people how to clip wing feathers you will get several different answers. This is exactly how I do it and it works fine without hurting my pets. Many bird trainers clip the wing feathers of birds to prevent it from flying around the room while they are trying to train their birds. I have not tried to train, but my birds are still with me due to wing clipping. Personally, I do not have a strong opinion on the matter of training birds. I have attempted to train birds with clipped wings, but never stuck it out long enough for either one of us to learn anything. If the wings of a bird that is not yet tame are clipped, you won't have to chase it too far if it leaves the perch. However, another important fact to remember is that a cockatiel with radically clipped wings will not be able to escape should it encounter a cat or other animals.
Our birds are treated in a calm and controlled manner, however take adequate precautions to prevent its leaving the room when is out of its cage to keep the bird out of harms way.
Clipping the wings should be done on both sides so that the bird is unable to fly. Take great care not to cut the feathers too short, as this can cause bleeding. It does not hurt the birt to have its feathers clipped, and they will grow back. Never assume that a cockatiel with clipped wings cannot escape if a door or window is left open. Lost and found ads are filled with reminders of this every summer. I do hope this information will prove helpful when clipping the wings of your pet.
* Use a sharp pair of scissors and clip off all but the two outermost flight and six or seven of the secondary feathers of each wing as near to the base as possible. If you are inexperienced, work with an assistant and wear leather gloves; or better still, entrust the job to your veterinarian. I have been bitten by my birds often, and brother it hurts if you do not have gloves on.