how short should a cockatoos flight feathers be clipped?

Question

Our regular avian vet who we usually have do it, is kind of far away, so we took Paco to our regular vet, who assured us that their vet tech had lots of exotic bird experience. Well, he clipped the feathers so short that they can't even be seen. They look like they are about an inch long! Our regular avian vet leaves a bit of feather, like 2-3 inches. This just seemed extreme to us.

Answer 1

As long as there is no bleeding, your lovable friend should be ok. As priceless as the relationship is, between you and your fine-feathered friend is--no expense for his well-being is too high. I would certainly make the effort to see a certified avian vet, that I felt comfortable with, especially when it's only once a year!!!!! Watch how he does it, and next time, you can do it yourself!!! Most all cockatoos I know are very lovable, and will allow their TRUSTED human friend any liberty---be very gentle and never cut them any shorter than your vet did!!!! Cutting an immature flight feather (blood feather), can cause serious bleeding, that could threaten her life. As a parrot owner you should always have a styptic stick handy for an emergency(get one from your avian vet). It will stop bleeding almost immediately---Birdman

Answer 2

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/unasaurus/companion-health-wing.gif
Birds who have free flight within the home are a greater risk of danger than those with clipped wings. Clipping the wings is a painless process, and in fact, a temporary one because the flight feathers will grow back with each successive molt. The objective of wing clipping is to create a bird that cannot generate upward lift, but has the ability to glide downward to prevent injury from a fall.
Wing clipping is safe when performed properly. Larger parrots typically require fewer feathers to be clipped than smaller birds, whose lift is more easily generated due to their size. Before attempting to clip a bird's wings, some preparatory work is required.
Understand the wing shape and terminology of its feathers. Only the primary feathers on BOTH wings are clipped. The primary coverts, secondary feathers and secondary coverts are not clipped. The reason both wings should be clipped is because a bird with only one wing clipped will have no balance and typically spirals during a fall, possibly causing great injury.
When the wings are clipped, proper restraint should be applied. The bird's chest must not be restricted, because it cannot breathe. The head, both feet, and the opposite wing should be restrained for the bird's safety. This is best performed by a second person. The wing being clipped should be held at the base of the humerus, not by the feathers, because again, injury could occur if the bird should flap the held wing.
The first four or five primaries (10-6) should be clipped, each one individually at the base of the rachis (shaft), below the area where "feathered" portion starts on the shaft.. The overlying covert should not be cut. If the first one or two (10 and 9) primaries are desired to be left for aesthetic purposes, then an additional primary may require trimming. This method is not recommended for smaller birds.

I bought an Eastern Rosella with a SAVAGE wing clip, this is exactly how to NOT EVER clip your birds wings.. It will take atleast a good 18 months before this poor bird will be fully flighted again..*sob
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/unasaurus/P1020811_450x337.jpg
Note that ALL PRIMARY and SECONDARY feathers have been BUTCHERD and only ONE WING was clipped (although in this case THANK GOD) ...

Answer 3

as long as he doesnt seem hurt it should be fine. every vet does it different. i used to clip my old birds myself it's just the shorter they cut them the longer it takes for them to fully grow back.

Answer 4

very i short i guess(not an expert!)