I have a Four month old Cockatiel with her wings clipped, Sometimes while walking with her perched on my finger she will try to fly and go landing on the floor. Sometimes when that happens her tail feathers get broken or ruffled up. Theres about three broken ones. Do i have to pluck them out or will they naturally fall out?
2006-10-28 05:39:33 · 9 answers · asked by Cat 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Leave the feathers alone. They are fine. My cockateil breaks his all the time. They will naturally fall out and new ones will replace them, just like the feathers you clipped on his wings.
2006-10-28 05:55:54 · answer #1 · answered by Laurie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will naturally moult and grow new ones, the same applies for the clipped wing feathers (primaries) don't pull them out because they may not grow back, think of them a bit like fingernails not like hair, there is a process called imping used in falconry where you can repair broken feathers from old moulted ones but this would be incredibly difficult with a bird as small as a cockatiel and you would need to find someone who knows what they are doing to do it for you, I suggest you leave it alone, don't let is jump off tall perches until it grows back and make sure it's cage is big enough the it can turn around without catching it's tail on the bars or mesh and they will grow back as good as new.
2006-10-28 13:59:17 · answer #2 · answered by Aquila 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, if the feather is no longer a "blood feather" meaning its done growing and no longer has blood running through it you can snip the feather *at the break* with a sissors to make sure it doesn't get caught on anything and get pulled. You can feel free to stop by my cockatiel e-mail group/message board to ask any tiel questions you may have or just brag about your little one.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cockatielcottage/
2006-10-28 08:29:13 · answer #3 · answered by rosewith2thorns 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the feathers are not blood feathers, you can cut them off or very gently and carefully remove them. Better yet, do not give your bird the opportunity to flutter off your finger. Do more basic work with her so she trusts more and will stay on your hand while moving. She will be much happier and safer this way.
2006-10-28 05:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by piper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a styptic pencil and keep that handy. If ever you see blood, apply the pencil to the broken feather to stanch the bleeding.
NEVER pull out a blood feather - your bird could bleed to death. However, if a feather is broken but there is no blood, you can safely snip it. All feathers will eventually fall out on their own.
That, at least, is my understanding. Do talk to a vet who specializes in birds - he or she will know what to do.
2006-10-28 08:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by Killertiel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there's no blood you can just leave them be they will fall out or if you don't like how they look have someone help you & gently wrap him/her in a towel and trim them with scissors. Good luck. You can buy leashes for your pet to keep them from flying to the floor and breaking its feather. A local pet store might have them. You can check it out. Just a suggestion. I use a leach when I take my bird out & about.
GL!
2006-10-28 07:43:23 · answer #6 · answered by mandad1084 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will molt, or "shed her feathers" once or twice a year... the feathers will be replaced, dont worry
2006-10-28 05:46:42 · answer #7 · answered by think_about_this_gr8_1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never pluck them they will fall out on their own
2006-10-28 05:45:54 · answer #8 · answered by Dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do have to pluck them so they can grow back healthy
2006-10-28 11:08:15 · answer #9 · answered by ~*dis girl*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋