Clipped Wings

[Carolina]

Hello Everyone,

 

As some of you might already know, my 15 yo CAG (Beezer) passed recently due to a raccoon attack. I was devastated and my mom gave me a 5 month old CAG (Dali) to help me through this rough time. At first it was a little overwhelming but he (or she) is helping me heal. Dali came with clipped wings and I believe they are really bothering him. He keeps on chewing them. I read a lot on clipped wings and I think I am going to let this little guy develop his flying skills. I want to harness train him. My question(s) is, how long does it take to have his flight feathers grow back? And I don't want him to develop a chewing or plucking habit, any recommendations on what I should do? As of now, he's only chewing the cut feathers and now is shredding some of his other wing feathers. It's not a constant thing and he does have a lot of chew toys. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[turtlepunk]

Hey! I'm worried about the same thing with my 4 month old!!! The breeder let her fly up until the day I picked her up, but she has been chewing on her clipped feathers too! =( I didn't want them clipped at all.....but the breeder felt otherwise.....sad. Anyways, I'm not sure how different a CAG molt is from a sun conure...but in my sun conure's case...he came to me with clipped wings...he was five months at the time, he is now 11 months and he is just now starting to grow in his wing feathers =) so far he only has one new flight feather in. I really can't wait until he has them all in.

[danmcq]

It can take up to 2 years for all the flights to molt and grow back in. However, as they do start coming in more lift and flight abilities will start before that long.

[Dave007]

Hello Everyone,

 

As some of you might already know, my 15 yo CAG (Beezer) passed recently due to a raccoon attack. I was devastated and my mom gave me a 5 month old CAG (Dali) to help me through this rough time. At first it was a little overwhelming but he (or she) is helping me heal. Dali came with clipped wings and I believe they are really bothering him. He keeps on chewing them. I read a lot on clipped wings and I think I am going to let this little guy develop his flying skills. I want to harness train him. My question(s) is, how long does it take to have his flight feathers grow back? And I don't want him to develop a chewing or plucking habit, any recommendations on what I should do? As of now, he's only chewing the cut feathers and now is shredding some of his other wing feathers. It's not a constant thing and he does have a lot of chew toys. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

It can take different amounts of time depending on how they grow out. It also has to do with the present length of the clipped wings. Some may grow out and interfer with others growing out ( pinching) so many times a bird will repluck them because of discomfort. When the feathers finally grow out in the proper order, plucking/ chewing eases up. So, it could be quick or take longer. It's a good decision you made about leaving future wings ujnclipped.