Question:
Some people say it's harmless, people say it doen't hurt or bleed, it's just convenient for you to get your birds wings clipped. My cousin tried it once, she got the bird back, like, 10 minutes later all bloody. Needless to say, she now leaves her birds wings long and natural and she let's him fly around wherever he sees fit. I was just wondering if the place just screwed up when they did it, or if it really always happens like that.


Answer:
There should be no bleeding if a wing clipping is done properly... which is why it is so important to have someone knowledgable do it. Its always a debate amongst bird owners though, myself, I only clip one of my birds - my senegal, the one that thinks he is Evil Knievel with absolutely no control. The other five are in tact. There are numerous sites out there that discuss it.
Rav


Answer:
I agree with Rav.. if it's done properly it doesn't hurt them & there should be no blood... the place screwed up.
Whether or not to get it done depends on where your bird is when its let out of the cage... I work in a shelter & you wouldn't believe how many birds are lost every day... I've heard it all.. like, I was walking around with the bird on my shoulder & the doorbell rang & I forgot & opened the door..
If you choose to NOT clip the wings that is your choice but just be smart about it...


Answer:
I agree with Sue: a knowledgeable person doing a wing-clip won't hurt the bird at all. I think it's for the safety of the bird to have the wings clipped. Kind of like keeping a collar and and ID tag on a dog and cat all the time!


Answer:
I am inclined to agree with everyone, but would make the condition fall on the type of bird.
I know that not many people keep hawks or falcons, but I would not dream of clipping their wings if I did own them.


Answer:
I used to have birds, and only one of them bled during a wing clip, and it was because it managed to get it's wing lose just as they were clipping the feathers and it got nicked at a bad angle. I believe that wing clipping is very safe, so long as done within reason.
My best friend didn't have her bird's wings clipped because she thought it might be unpleasant for the bird. She ended up losing the bird one day when it flew out the door as her boyfriend came home. As weird as it sounds, she ran out to get it back, and a hawk swooped down and took it away. Right in front of her! I know it's extreme, but that's enough to convince me there's good reason for clipping lol.


Answer:
So then, say, a budgie would be a good idea to get it's wings clipped? Because that's what she has, she's just scared to go back.


Answer:
If it is true that the people who did it before botched the job, then I don't blame her for not wanting to go back.
Perhaps she should look into having the wings clipped elsewhere?


Answer:
OK, thanks. I'll talk to her about it.


Answer:
Same as Sue said regarding her shelter ... we clip the birds at the pet-store for their safety. Not all are clipped however ... only the ones that are handle more often (Budgies) and those who walk freely on their cages (Parrots & Conuars). Some of the birds who do escape tend to stay away from their cages, and away from their food, or they try to fly to freedom through windows ... which doesn't work too well to there advantage ... So far we havn't had one bird bleed after clipping.
Budgie wings are not complicated to clip ... maybe I could take some pictures and post then during the next clipping session.