Just ran into the definitive article on clipping African Grey wings properly. Debra and I have clipped scores of Congo wings and never had a problem until "Pinkie". We used to clip the flight feathers about 1/2 inch below the coverts. Pinkie found these stubs to be annoying and chewed them to oblivion. After keeping her for two extra months and a lot of apple bitter spray she seemed to be cured. Her new owner, Jimmy, called a month ago and said that she was still having a small problem with overpreening the area. With more apple bitter spray he got it under control. The article at http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww25ev.htm explains what we did wrong and suggests that Congo feathers be clipped at the shaft 1/4 inch from the follicle. I think that this would have avoided any problems with Pinkie. If you have a Congo or Timneh and notice frayed and cracked clipped feathers try this approach. We sure will...Craig
- posted by J-Birds @ 9:23 PM |