Alyssa & Goldie
Full Version: I Love Goldie!
My bird Goldie is the cutest! I wish I had a picture to attach right here. The only thing is that after she's done flying in the living room or family room, she will fly away from us and won't go back in her cage! If anyone who has read this has dealt with this before, feel free to give advice. Thnx Alyssa & Goldie
Alyssa & Goldie
Yep..wing clipping is a wonderful thing! As long as she knows that she can fly away from you, why should she listen? It also helps keep dominance issues in check 
We would've done that, but it's sorta sad when I see the cockatiels at the pet store, crying to be fed, being so helpless, not even being able to fly. I hate to admit it, but it breaks my heart. At least when they fly, they're free.
Also, I have a question. If you had a bird with "messed up" feathers, and you plucked them, how long until they grow back and be able to fly again? That happened to our bird Jill.
Alyssa & Goldie
Also, I have a question. If you had a bird with "messed up" feathers, and you plucked them, how long until they grow back and be able to fly again? That happened to our bird Jill.
Alyssa & Goldie
Are you trying to say that you plucked the feathers? They will grow back when the bird goes thru a molt.. That is when they get there new feathers.
Okay the topic of this thread is expressing how you feel about your bird. Of course others of you that are severely affected with MBS, well you are definitely in for a very long post...LMBO
Kiwi, well my Mr. Kiwi is the 2nd love of my life. My hubby being #1 of course.
Kiwi came into my life under not very good circumstances. I will try to be brief here as many of you have heard my story.
My son committed suicide on 12-14-99 and about a week later my hubby, daughter and hope to be son in law sometime and myself were driving around and my hubby stopped at this pet store (we had been there before) he went inside and told me to wait in the car. After a few minutes he motioned for me to come in. When in the store he told me to pick out a quaker, he had just bought me whichever one I wanted. I went to the cage and there were about 6-8 little, itty bitty quakers in there. Well the one that came to the door was # 81 and so I picked him up. He was so sweet and cuddly. I told the lady this is the one that "has chosen me" That is my Mr. Kiwi. My husband was right, a new bird would occupy my mind and somehow get me to thinking about other things besides my son's death. Kiwi has helped me in so many ways. I do not know what I would of done without my little KIWI.The very ironic thing is that Kiwi was born on my sons birthday, 25 years later.
Kiwi, well my Mr. Kiwi is the 2nd love of my life. My hubby being #1 of course.
Kiwi came into my life under not very good circumstances. I will try to be brief here as many of you have heard my story.
My son committed suicide on 12-14-99 and about a week later my hubby, daughter and hope to be son in law sometime and myself were driving around and my hubby stopped at this pet store (we had been there before) he went inside and told me to wait in the car. After a few minutes he motioned for me to come in. When in the store he told me to pick out a quaker, he had just bought me whichever one I wanted. I went to the cage and there were about 6-8 little, itty bitty quakers in there. Well the one that came to the door was # 81 and so I picked him up. He was so sweet and cuddly. I told the lady this is the one that "has chosen me" That is my Mr. Kiwi. My husband was right, a new bird would occupy my mind and somehow get me to thinking about other things besides my son's death. Kiwi has helped me in so many ways. I do not know what I would of done without my little KIWI.The very ironic thing is that Kiwi was born on my sons birthday, 25 years later.
Heh heh... 
Ok,so we did it. Goldie can't fly anymore. At least it will grow back in a few months. She's so nicer now. Everyone was right! I only hestitated 'cause I thought it was permanent.
Alyssa & Goldie
Ok,so we did it. Goldie can't fly anymore. At least it will grow back in a few months. She's so nicer now. Everyone was right! I only hestitated 'cause I thought it was permanent.Alyssa & Goldie
For safety reasons, we keep our birds clipped. I'm always afraid that my 14 year old will keep the door open just a little too long and out they'll go. Anyway, we keep them pretty independent by setting up ladders in between the couches so they can get to their cages in case they are hungry, thirsty, or just want some of their toys. I don't know how your house is set up, but maybe you can do something like this.
QUOTE (Sandi Kiwis Mom @ Oct 1 2006, 12:23 AM) 
Okay the topic of this thread is expressing how you feel about your bird. Of course others of you that are severely affected with MBS, well you are definitely in for a very long post...LMBO
Kiwi, well my Mr. Kiwi is the 2nd love of my life. My hubby being #1 of course.
Kiwi came into my life under not very good circumstances. I will try to be brief here as many of you have heard my story.
My son committed suicide on 12-14-99 and about a week later my hubby, daughter and hope to be son in law sometime and myself were driving around and my hubby stopped at this pet store (we had been there before) he went inside and told me to wait in the car. After a few minutes he motioned for me to come in. When in the store he told me to pick out a quaker, he had just bought me whichever one I wanted. I went to the cage and there were about 6-8 little, itty bitty quakers in there. Well the one that came to the door was # 81 and so I picked him up. He was so sweet and cuddly. I told the lady this is the one that "has chosen me" That is my Mr. Kiwi. My husband was right, a new bird would occupy my mind and somehow get me to thinking about other things besides my son's death. Kiwi has helped me in so many ways. I do not know what I would of done without my little KIWI.The very ironic thing is that Kiwi was born on my sons birthday, 25 years later.
Kiwi, well my Mr. Kiwi is the 2nd love of my life. My hubby being #1 of course.
Kiwi came into my life under not very good circumstances. I will try to be brief here as many of you have heard my story.
My son committed suicide on 12-14-99 and about a week later my hubby, daughter and hope to be son in law sometime and myself were driving around and my hubby stopped at this pet store (we had been there before) he went inside and told me to wait in the car. After a few minutes he motioned for me to come in. When in the store he told me to pick out a quaker, he had just bought me whichever one I wanted. I went to the cage and there were about 6-8 little, itty bitty quakers in there. Well the one that came to the door was # 81 and so I picked him up. He was so sweet and cuddly. I told the lady this is the one that "has chosen me" That is my Mr. Kiwi. My husband was right, a new bird would occupy my mind and somehow get me to thinking about other things besides my son's death. Kiwi has helped me in so many ways. I do not know what I would of done without my little KIWI.The very ironic thing is that Kiwi was born on my sons birthday, 25 years later.
This is such a tear jerking story,but a happy one to. Thanks for sharing Sandie!
Hmm... Acutenewt, just maybe we could do that, but their bird cages are in the garage. Don't worry. We have a big driveway.
Alyssa & Goldie
Alyssa & Goldie
Hmm..I hope you garage is heated and insulated...
Just one question, well, maybe you don't need to answer, just some advice.
When a bird is fully flighted, you don't actually pull out the feathers. They should be cut, leaving a portion of the feather still embedded in the skin.
If a feather is pulled, not only is is painful, but can also be harmful psychologically (sp?). It will grow back quickly if it is pulled, within a few weeks. Only the primary flight feathers, the las 4-5 long feathers at the end of the wing, should be cut back. This will last months, as they will have to fall out naturally, then, and regrow on their own.
Lastly, please do not attempt this at home. You could cut a blood feather, and the bird bleed to death. Have an avian vet, or someone experienced at wing trimming, do this for you, until you learn how to do it on your own. Many people do trim their own birds' wings, but, most prefer to have the professionals do it, for the safety of their fids.
When a bird is fully flighted, you don't actually pull out the feathers. They should be cut, leaving a portion of the feather still embedded in the skin.
If a feather is pulled, not only is is painful, but can also be harmful psychologically (sp?). It will grow back quickly if it is pulled, within a few weeks. Only the primary flight feathers, the las 4-5 long feathers at the end of the wing, should be cut back. This will last months, as they will have to fall out naturally, then, and regrow on their own.
Lastly, please do not attempt this at home. You could cut a blood feather, and the bird bleed to death. Have an avian vet, or someone experienced at wing trimming, do this for you, until you learn how to do it on your own. Many people do trim their own birds' wings, but, most prefer to have the professionals do it, for the safety of their fids.
Thnx for the advice. And don't worry, the garage is good to go. We even have a little nightlight so my fids won't get scared. I'm playing with Goldie right now.*Chirp* hehe... 
Alyssa & Goldie
Alyssa & Goldie
Hmmm... Pearl is really getting on our nerves... maybe we should clip her wings too...
Alyssa & Goldie
Alyssa & Goldie
Okay, we did it. We clipped Pearl's wings too. We put them on the tree in the front yard, and my dad had to take a picture. They were exploring!
Alyssa & Goldie
Alyssa & Goldie
Hi Alyssa! I'm Alyssa as well! Nice to meet you. I love my baby Mylo, he is my world.
Hey Alyssa, I know how much you love Goldie! Mango is the center of my world too! Whenever she had her wings cut she ran away to. But now she's just used to it I guess.
Goldie...
I hope you don't have the impression that because their wings are now trimmed that they cannot fly away...because they CAN and many people here on the forum have lost their birds because of that.
When you trim a birds wings all your doing is limiting their ability to fly well...it doesn't mean they can't catch an air current and get lift enough to be gone.
Putting them out in a tree outside is asking for problems unless you have them in a flight harness or something that keeps them SAFELY teathered so they can't escape.
Not only can they fly away but since wild birds probably sit in the tree there could be parasites that you can't see...in dropping etc. Things like lice to just name one of the least dangerous.
So be leery of taking your birds outside into tree's etc.
Other posters have given ideas as to clipping etc. The Primary flight feathers on a bird are the first ten feathers on the lower outside of a birds wing. Depending on how well and how strong of flyer the bird is, determines how many of those 10 flight feathers you clip...some birds can get away with just one or two some require all 10 feathers to be clipped, and they should only be trimmed to the primary coverts which is the next layer of feathers up above. Care needs to be take in how the birds are trimmed as muscle damage can take place if they are held incorrectly while trimming. Also, if you pluck the feathers out meaning you pulled the whole quill out you can not only cause them a lot of pain but if its continued to be done, permanent damage can be done to the feather follicle and then the feather will not grow back at all. Also depending on what stage the feather was in when it was trimmed can be a factor as to how soon they will be flying or need to be trimmed again. if they have just recently gone through a molt and the feathers are not totally grown in it means that they will continue to grow some more; and they can be able to fly in just a few days to a week or two so you need to pay attention and not get to complacent about the fact that they aren't able to fly.
Please be very careful and observant with your birds.
I hope you don't have the impression that because their wings are now trimmed that they cannot fly away...because they CAN and many people here on the forum have lost their birds because of that.
When you trim a birds wings all your doing is limiting their ability to fly well...it doesn't mean they can't catch an air current and get lift enough to be gone.
Putting them out in a tree outside is asking for problems unless you have them in a flight harness or something that keeps them SAFELY teathered so they can't escape.
Not only can they fly away but since wild birds probably sit in the tree there could be parasites that you can't see...in dropping etc. Things like lice to just name one of the least dangerous.
So be leery of taking your birds outside into tree's etc.
Other posters have given ideas as to clipping etc. The Primary flight feathers on a bird are the first ten feathers on the lower outside of a birds wing. Depending on how well and how strong of flyer the bird is, determines how many of those 10 flight feathers you clip...some birds can get away with just one or two some require all 10 feathers to be clipped, and they should only be trimmed to the primary coverts which is the next layer of feathers up above. Care needs to be take in how the birds are trimmed as muscle damage can take place if they are held incorrectly while trimming. Also, if you pluck the feathers out meaning you pulled the whole quill out you can not only cause them a lot of pain but if its continued to be done, permanent damage can be done to the feather follicle and then the feather will not grow back at all. Also depending on what stage the feather was in when it was trimmed can be a factor as to how soon they will be flying or need to be trimmed again. if they have just recently gone through a molt and the feathers are not totally grown in it means that they will continue to grow some more; and they can be able to fly in just a few days to a week or two so you need to pay attention and not get to complacent about the fact that they aren't able to fly.
Please be very careful and observant with your birds.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.