My 2c is that a baby should NEVER be clipped until flying is mastered. That means the baby should come home unclipped, they wean after fledging before the flying skills are good. I choose to clip my pet suns partially which means I clip about 4-5 feathers, they still fly but they do not gain altitude since they go on outings with us. A harness while good if there is any chance the bird can open the clips, this makes it unsafe. My aviary birds are fully flighted but they never leave the safety of the aviary. If they do escape they end up in the walkway or the neighboring aviary. The pet budgies are flighted since they do not get to go on outings and the house is safe. So I guess the question is if you chose to take the birdie on outings or are not in a position to make the house safe, then clip. Also clipping does not make taming easier, this does not need to enter into the equation.

I will do my research on this subject. I just want everyone to know that I agree that Dozie or any bird needs to be fully fledged before clipping.

Thanks everyone.

Dozie?? I thought your baby grey's name was Baxter?? Did you change it?

Ollie was clipped before fledging. It took her over a year to build up her flight skills to perfection, but now she's an old pro. Yes, when she was learning she didn't always land perfectly, she ran into a few things...but there is a big learning curve with flying. You do your best to prevent crashes, but crashing is also part of learning. Ollie hasn't run into anything in many, many months. The benefits of flying are too great to ignore. However, you do have to consider what is possible in your household. While I believe that everybody should strive to be able to allow fully flighted birds because that is what is best for them, I do know that for some people at a certain point in time in their lives, it may not be possible.

cfulhage,

I'm sorry I thought I updated everyone on Baxter. I went to go see him Saturday (5 hr. drive each way) and he would not let me near him. I visited with him for a couple hours and he did not warm up to me the entire time. Needless to say I don't think Baxter and I were not meant for each other and have chosen a little girl named Dozy who will be ready to come home in 3 weeks. She is very, very sweet. She let me hold her and pet her and even flew to me. She even turn over on her back in my hand. She stole my heart.

I just don't know what to do about the clipping. The biggest reason for me to want to clip is to prevent escape and possible injury. You put so much love, time and money into your pet, escape would be devistating.

The only one of my birds that were clipped is Libby. She came to me that way at the age of about 15. Since I have had her, she has not been clipped. She will never fly now. When she is out of her cage she climbs down and wonders the house on the floor. She has never tried to fly. I guess she can't miss what she never had but, I would feel much better for her safety if she could fly. A friend once brought his dog into my housewhen Boca was out and, on the floor playing. Boca, being un-clipped flew to his cage out of harms way. Had this been Libby, ????

Dozy was given her name by the breeder I am thinking about another name.

Quito and Tausi are both flighted, so you can see where I come down on this issue. Chico is flighted but cage-bound. Tausi came to me clipped, and he was not allowed to fledge before clipping. Learning to fly has been a real struggle for him, but he is now finally getting the hang of it. It's been almost a year and a half. Up until last week, he was only able to fly in a straight line. Now he is beginning to turn corners. A couple of days ago, he landed (successfully) on a perch for the first time. He's done it a few times since, and you can see the confidence growing. I'm so proud of him!

I worry constantly about possible accidents, but believe me, the potential for accidents with clipped birds is no less real. You have to do everything you possibly can to make their environment safe for them, and then you have to hope and pray for the best. There is always a chance of disaster, whether they are clipped or not. The dangers are just different.

In the end, you have to make the decision. As long as you've done the research, and made that decision based on what you truly think is best (and not just easiest), I for one will respect that decision.

Thank you.