The deed is done

Amz · Apr 11, 2014

I trimmed Rocko's wings.

I hated doing it. It was his first full set of flights, ever. His breeder cut them before he was old enough to learn how to fly, although thankfully that didn't lead to weaker muscles or clumsy flying skills. I felt bad taking that away from him, and not to mention hacking off those pretty feathers! I ended up having to do a full clip (or taking off however many flights are visible growing past the wing, whichever it is), because he could still get enough lift to fly onto our grandfather clock otherwise.

But he instantaneously became sweeter. He's just sitting on my shoulder cuddled up to me right now. Any other day he would be flying around my room and causing trouble anywhere he could, and that's why I haven't been letting him out of the cage as often.

I'm really hoping that this helps him bond to me more. He's been so aggressive ever since he became flighted, to everyone except for my mom. He hasn't even tried to bite me since I trimmed him, which is an achievement on its own.

dianne · Apr 11, 2014

Very interesting.
How did you catch him to trim him?

Amz · Apr 11, 2014

Well I actually had to catch him four different times. I tried to leave him as flighted as possible, but it ended up not being possible. I trimmed him down so he had two feathers left on each side, that was still too much. Caught him again, trimmed down to one on each side, still too much. Caught him a last time and cut of the rest.

The first time, I took a towel and grabbed him from the inside of his cage. The other times it was easier to catch him since he was already partially trimmed.

SoCalTiels · Apr 11, 2014

I'm glad it's helped your relationship with Rocko so much already. Hopefully it helps with further bonding in the next few weeks. I know how much you wanted to leave him flighted.

Amz · Apr 11, 2014

Thanks, I'm really hoping so. I do wish I could've left him as he was but it just isn't possible with our situation

Runnergirl · Apr 11, 2014

It was very tough when I decided to clip scurvy the first time. He would do the same thing. Get as high as he could and screech at me and bite my boyfriend. Total 180 after. I think now he is well past his teenage brattiness he would be fine if I let him grow out, and in plan to try it and see. Hopefully it can just be temporary.

Amz · Apr 11, 2014

That's what happened with Rocko. When he grew out his first flights (not an entire set though), it was also during his teenage stage. He acted terrible. I thought the same as you, was hoping he could handle it when he got a bit older. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for him. Hopefully Scurvy does better with flights than Rocko did.

SoCalTiels · Apr 11, 2014

When it's about health, you come first. If anything, work with him as best you can in the next few weeks or months til he gets those pretty wings back, and hopefully the same issue won't happen for you guys.

tweetsandsarah · Apr 11, 2014

I'm glad he's calmed down and you two are getting along, I really am. I do want to pose a question though on the topic. What is the psychology between clipping the wings and suddenly they are more calm and cuddly? Is it a good thing or are they traumatized into being passive? Not to start any bad conversation, I just want to understand.

H3lix86 · Apr 11, 2014

While I may be entirely wrong, my understanding is when you clip the wings it removes their independence, and makes them more reliant on the owner.

The deed is done

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