KatB Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 In my early research on the care and feeding of an African Grey, I ran across an article that recommended intentionally causing a clipped grey to flutter his wings for several minutes a day to give him exercise. Since it involves causing him to be off balance while holding him, I thought it sounded a little suspicious and didn't do it. But recently Oliver has been doing it all on his own when I carry him -- fluttering wildly like he thinks he's going to fall, although he hasn't hand any trauma like that that I know of. Do you think he's just exercising or does it sound like he has become uncertain of his balance when perched on my hand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tari Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Mine does not flap when on my hand but he well get upside down in his cage several times a week and flap like mad. lol As long as you have a good hold on him and he does not do it the every time you pick him up he may just be exercising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody6 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 The fluttering is a form of exercise. My birds mostly do it after I let them out of the cage. It is pretty funny to see because they hang on to the cage with their beak and flutter like mad. When I hold them I will hold their feet firmly and have them flutter their wings. We make a game of it so they know we are having fun while exercising. My birds also like to stretch their talons and wings while I hold them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMustee Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Mine will get on the top of his cage and start flapping like he is trying to pick the cage up. It's good for them and I know that it is encuraged to get Amazon parrots to do this because they are so prone to becoming over weight...it was the cover story of BirdTalk 2 months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatB Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thanks for the info, everybody. I don't know why he only seems to do it when I'm transporting him, but if it's good for him I'll go with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Soldier Flaps like mad, he doesnt fly off the top of his cage but its exercise for him,the others dont do it as they have room to fly in their room.It is normal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatB Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Aww, I'm having visions of prisoners running in place in their jail cells. I'm seriously considering letting Oliver become flighted. By the time his flight feathers grow back, I should be experienced enough to handle it. I know this Forum has lots of strong feelings both ways and I don't want to start any controversy, but I would be interested in hearing some objective viewpoints on pros and cons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody6 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 All my birds are flighted and I'm very happy with it. The biggest con to flighted birds is them crashing into things 'or' getting outside and taking flight. However, I know of birds with clipped wings that have taken flight and crash into things and outside because the wind picks them up so I guess it is personal preferrence really. I do not take by birds outside unless they are in a harnest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatB Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Did your birds learn to wear a harness from babyhood, or did you have to train an adult to wear one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody6 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 My birds learned at babyhood. They usually say to introduce the harnest slowly over a period of 7 - 10 days before actually putting it on the bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatB Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 LOL, I think I'm going to have to have a little more than 10 days for Oliver. It's taken 3 months to get him to sit on a towel when in my lap. Still haven't had any luck with raising the edges of the towel while he's sitting there, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loviechick Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Both mine do it naturally on their own....I've never heard of causing them to go off balance to do it. Running with them yes but shaking no?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatB Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 I have to believe he's doing it on purpose, but I don't understand why he has started doing it every time he's perched on my hand. The fluttering does unbalance him and to keep him from falling I hold him close to my chest and he stops fluttering. Maybe that's what he's after? He wants me to hold him against my body while I'm carrying him and he knows if he flutters I'll do it? I sure wish he would talk and say "Hey, Dummy, hold me against your chest why don't you?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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