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Post by Diane on Jun 13, 2010 11:32:40 GMT -5
Just wondering if everyone here on the forum trims their GCC's feathers. My 1 year old, Watson, recently discovered his wings and likes to fly after me when I leave the room. When I tell him "go home," he will fly back to his cage In a week I'll be going out-of-town for a month and my friend will be babysitting him at her house so I think I may cut his feathers...for safety reasons and because I would hate for him to escape by accident from her house. Any thoughts? I already have a very long list of his daily schedule and instructions, favorite foods, foods to avoid, bag of toys, his common phrases, etc to leave with her. I am already so sad to be leaving him but I know he will be in good hands. I will be staying with the sitter for 3-4 days so he adjusts better before I leave. I feel terrible having to cut his wings but really think it is best. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by GypsyWitch on Jun 13, 2010 16:47:50 GMT -5
It's probably best to trim the wings...for safety reasons (just make sure HE understands that his wings have been trimmed now that he has learned how to fly). Besides getting out of the house, he could fly into a window/wall, get crushed in a door, or fly up into a ceiling fan. There are a whole slew of things that can go wrong for a flighted bird. Are you having her read up on emergency care incase something happens? I have an emergency first aid kit put together. It has towels, heating pad, styptic powder, blunt-tipped scissors, nail clippers, needle-nosed pliers, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, bandage materials, pedialyte, eyedropper and a few other misc. items. These are just some basic supplies I have all in one place and on hand just in case my birdie gets injured or sick. I also have my Avian vets number in there. I already feel a little paranoid at this point and my birdie isn't even here yet! I'd probably be a nervous wreck leaving him with someone else. I would most likely give her one of my Conure books to read before hand if she doesn't have experience with them. But, it sounds like you have everything all thought out and well planned. Good luck
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Post by Tatianna on Jun 13, 2010 17:27:07 GMT -5
Hi Diane, I think it would probably also be best to trim his flight's before you leave, Does you're sitter have any knowledge on parrots ? including what is toxic and safe ? I would really caution her about those things, so that she doesn't use them while you are gone. Also include an emergency kit before you leave, like GypsyWitch had mentioned, you can never to be safe, Better to be safe than sorry right ? Sound's like you have mostly everything under control I am sure everything will go smoothly
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Post by Diane on Jun 13, 2010 23:43:38 GMT -5
Thank you so much for all the advice!! I really appreciate it. I am sooooooo sad about leaving Watson for 5 weeks but I have no choice because I'll be traveling all over the place. The sitter used to own birds years ago and has a farm so she is familiar with animals. We've visited her already so he is familiar with her and the house although I have never left him there. I have a couple of pages typed out with details about Watson's personality to his favorite toys and food. On that list I rattle off things in alphabetical order (food and household items) that can be lethal to him (i.e. teflon, candles, etc). My boyfriend thinks I am going overboard and may offend her but I rather have her knowledgeable with something she can glance at before-hand. I am glad it worked out that I can be with him a few days before leaving him. I have noticed with his newly found wings, he has become obsessed with me! If I get up or leave the room, he stops what he is doing and follows me! It's crazy so I think trimming his wings is the smartest and safest thing to do for him. I will definitely put together an emergency kit for the sitter - that is a great idea! I will keep you posted!!
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Post by scootersmom on Jun 24, 2010 18:55:47 GMT -5
Scooter is trimmed. I go for a modest trim that leaves the outermost 2 flights so he keeps his pretty blue and can land gracefully, but can't get much distance. Works for us. More and more folks seem to be keeping flighted birds, but IMO you have to be awfully careful to birdproof your home and lifestyle to keep a bird that way.
Anyway, feathers will always grow again!
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Post by Diane on Jun 25, 2010 14:45:42 GMT -5
We did end up trimming his wings and within minutes we saw a huge attitude change. He was starting to get a little cocky flying around our apartment and when he realized he couldn't go very far, he returned back to his normal attitude. In fact I think he was a bit annoyed or embarrassed about having his wings cut because he immediately went to his cage, into his hammock and ignored us for a while. We dropped him off a few days ago with a friend for a month while we are on business traveling and I feel much better about his safety knowing that he cannot fly far. Plus, when his wings are trimmed I bring him out on our porch and he enjoys talking and listening with all the birds outside! I have to admit that I am missing him so much and cannot wait until we get back into town in a few weeks - I never imagined getting so close to a bird!!
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Post by Tatianna on Aug 12, 2010 22:56:54 GMT -5
Hi Diane, I am glad that you decided on something that works best for you and Watson ! I would like to advise though when bringing him outside that he wears a harness or he is in a cage. as the slightest wind, can still bring him into flight, and you could loose Watson D: I would hate for that to happen to anyone.
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