Zebra with clipped wings

[dpedersen]

I was at a local bird store picking up a few necessities this morning and I fell in love with a beautiful fawn male zebra. When I got him home and into a real cage, I noticed he was having trouble flying. Upon closer inspection I realized someone clipped this little guy's wings

How long does it take for finches wing feathers to grow back? He's quarantined now, but eventually I would like to house him with my other zebs in our outdoor aviary. Will he be able to fly freely in about six weeks, or should I plan on keeping him inside until next summer?

[kenny]

hi
i am afraid they will not grow back until it has gone through a full moult,they will lose thier primaries 1 by 1 so as you can imagine it takes a while ...but they will grow back dont worry

ken

[L in Ontario]

Congrats on your new bird - that's always an exciting time! I agree his feathers will grow back the next time he moults and it could be months. Something for you to look forward to!

[poohbear]

I hope someone will remove the previous owners genitalia...then they may learn to know what it's like to live a life unable to use what nature gave them...peasants.

[Ursula]

I totally agree with you, Poohbear!!

Unfortunately wing clipping seems to be very common in the U.S. You can't even get a budgie from a petstore that doesn't have its wings clipped! (At least in the area where I live...) Usually finches are not clipped, but I've seem some in stores as well.

[dpedersen]

Thanks Ken & L. I figured that would be the case.

Pooh, I know what you mean. I feel so bad for him because he only really hops or flies in a downward spiral and I can't introduce him to my flock until he can fly away if he needs to.

I'm wondering if I should go back and get another zebra from the same place he came from (so he isn't alone indefinitely). Would that be a good idea?

[poohbear]

Thanks Ken & L. I figured that would be the case.

Pooh, I know what you mean. I feel so bad for him because he only really hops or flies in a downward spiral and I can't introduce him to my flock until he can fly away if he needs to.

I'm wondering if I should go back and get another zebra from the same place he came from (so he isn't alone indefinitely). Would that be a good idea?

Yeah.....Why not...good idea

[ac12]

Or put one of your zebras in with him.
In a smaller breeder cage, his clipped wings should not be much of a disadvantage.

[L in Ontario]

Can you not get one at a different place - just so you don't 'support' the pet store that clips?

[dpedersen]

I've bought several birds from the bird store I got this guy at and none had their wings clipped. They do have a year return policy so a previous owner could have tried taming him and taken him back when they realized that they couldn't, or it could have been a breeder I don't know, I can only speculate. I was thinking a bird from the same shop because- if they did have any other problems- they would probably be the same problems because they were from the same cage.

I was reluctant to place him with a bird I already had because they would have to go from a 13 X 8 foot aviary into a much smaller space. Also, I don't like catching them unless I absolutely have to. (on a related note, if anyone has any tips for catching birds during the day in an outdoor aviary with lots of manzanita perches that I can't move around, that would be great )

I ended up getting him a friend from a breeder I know. They are both doing well.

Thank you again!

[poohbear]

Build yourself a feeding station...inside or out...with a trapdoor.As the only source of food your birds will all use it...all you need then is a bit of patience.

[dpedersen]

Thanks Poohbear! That's a brilliant idea!

[L in Ontario]

I ended up getting him a friend from a breeder I know. They are both doing well.

Thank you again!

Great news!!