The African Grey – To Clip or Not to Clip

[lovemyGreys]

thanks for your in put JuJu, this is one of the topics that will go on for a long time,everyone has different opinions on this subject

[wheelingwv]

Thanks to the Administrators, for maintaining a great website for Grey lovers!

 

After sifting through the posts on this subject (and careful consideration), we have decided not to clip Yogi's wings.

 

There are three reasons:

 

1) we have two cats. George, our oldest, could care less about Yogi (our 3 yr-old CAG). They even seem to "get along" at this point. Ace (our younger housecat), however, would love to get his claws into Yogi. For that reason, Ace is never permitted access to Yogi when he is out of his cage, and George is only allowed to be around Yogi under close supervision.

 

2) We have strict rules in our house about keeping doors closed. And... Yogi lives upstairs, and we only use our downstairs entrance for going in or out, so this isn't really an issue (Never any open windows).

 

And finally, 3) Yogi loves to fly. I'm always reminded of Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" when I watch Yogi make his rounds. Birds were meant to fly, and African Greys like to be "in control." It goes without saying, that any Grey owner should "Parrot-proof" their home before allowing their best friend to fly.

 

There are many issues that musr be considered when making a decision to let your Grey fly... safety and escape are among the most important. As for Yogi, he loves to fly and we are more than happy to oblige.

 

Just my two cents... Mark

[lovemyGreys]

And thank you for sharing your two cents worth Mark It's great to hear other members views on clipping & im pleased to hear Yogi has his flight

[Mistyparrot]

I am a firm believer in not clipping. When Misty came to me at two years old he had been clipped poorly. His feathers were ragged and if he tried to fly he had almost no control. He would land quite hard. Luckily he never hurt himself. I Iet his flights grow back although it took about nine months and even then he was nervous of flying. He was quite bonded to me by then and I had no problems handling him. I allowed him out of his cage all the time I was at home which was most of the time. I had a cat Jezebel who treated Misty with respect but they were never allowed to be alone together. I helped Misty to regain his flying confidence by launching him a few yards to his cage. I would say "Fly" at the same time. He soon gained confidence and would fly round the room with precision. He would usually say "fly" when he landed.

He spends a lot of time with me now and follows me through the house. He now flies as a bird should from short hops to circuits round the room. I wish I could let him fly out side but I cannot take the risk where I live. I am fairly confident he would stay with me but not that confident :-)

Unfortunately he won't let me handle his wings. He screeches like a banshee if I touch them unexpectedly

and he clearly doesn't like them being handled at any time so he his not yet ready for a harness. I hope in time he will be more tolerant. I suspect he has bad memories of his wing clipping experiences.

In all other respects I can have him step to my hand at any time. Even when he knows I am cross with him for biting and he is being put in his cage to show him my displeasure. This is not something that happens often

and cage time is never for more than two or three minutes.

His feathers are in beautiful condition and he is happy and confident and I am certain that his confidence and skill in flight are a big part of that.

Obviously I take great care with doors and windows. I would never consider clipping.

I think it is unnecessary and cruel. I am sure Misty thinks the same.

 

Steve n Misty