Escaping bird

[sparrowsong98]

So I have My finches separated do to strike two of my serial pecker. Every day, the male flies out of his cage to join his wife, even though I have them as close as possible. So I was wondering, since I am unable at the moment to get a better cage, if I could clip his wings. The cage is small, and then he could go out in a lay pen and exercise too. But how long would it take to grow them back? And, Since the main cage is only 30x18x18, would it effect his life too much?

[the_gouldian_guy]

Sparrowsong98

I don't know that I would clip his wings. Wing clipping is normally used for species that use their beaks for climbing and getting around inside a cage. A finch without primary feathers is likely a sad finch. Personally, I feel like it would affect his quality of life greatly.

As for growing them back, that likely wouldn't happen until his next molt unless I'm mistaken.

[w.l.]

Clipped feathers only grow back with the next molt.
If you want to speed up the process, you have to pull them out, then they will regrow in 2-4 weeks.
Mind you, I think the right way to prevent escape is to use a door of the right size and position. A finch shouldn't be able to escape daily.

[lovezebs]

sparrowsong98

You don't clip the wings on a Finch! Ever!!!

[lovezebs]

sparrowsong98

The only way Finches can exercise, is through flying.

They do not 'play' like Hookbills in a play pan, or climb around for exercise.

A flightless Finch, is about as miserable as a Finch can be.

Why not allow him some free flight every day, without him having to escape all the time. Let him visit the Mrs and do a few laps around the room (if it's safe).

Also agree with the comments above. His wing feathers won't grow back for a long time.

[wilkifam]

Don't ever clip a finches wings!

[Dave]

Does he escape when you open the door to give food and water?

Clip a dishtowel over the door, so it hangs down. Then when you open the door, reach around the towel. He probably won't figure out how to get through that while you're working.

[sparrowsong98]

lovezebs I started free-flying them. This is what happens: So I open the door, Macho gets ready to fly out, then Addy gives him this look ("I don`t think you are allowed to do that"). He flies out any way and does a few laps around the room ("WHEEE! This is so fun!") then he stops and stares and Addy ( ) No, I couldn`t be! He must look again! ( ) He was right! Addy was completely ignoring the open door! So then he sits on top of his cage, like he is convincing her to come out ( "Please come out! Please Please Please?") Then he seems to get mad ("Oh all right then! I-- I`ll do something awful! What would you do if I figured out how to open the window and flew away to the cherry trees over the hill? You nasty little bird!") So then after a while I say "OK it`s time to go in." He doesn`t like that ("You WON`T make me go back in!") So then the chase, with me hopping around after him on one leg, due to a broken foot, sets in.

[lovezebs]

sparrowsong98

It's because you named him Macho, tee hee hee.

Seriously though, if it is a problem, then follow Dave's advice and hang a towel over the door of the cage.

Or just close the door to the room, and let him figure out how to get back to where the food and water is~~~ his cage.

Sorry to hear about your foot. Broken bones are not much fun, are they?

[sparrowsong98]

lovezebs No, they are not. Well, His Highness macho has decided to stay in the cage after a recent incident involving him falling behind a dresser and being chased around under it. I almost had him, then I couldn`t see him anymore. so I sat up, and what should come bursting out from under the dresser but the bird! Oh my poor heart! Scared me to death!

[lovezebs]

sparrowsong98

So he had the last laugh, lol.

[sparrowsong98]

lovezebs He got a lecture. How naughty, jumping out and scaring people when they least expect it! Actually I got the last laugh. I got him, and he had his lecture while sitting in my hand, biting for all he was worth. And I was laughing and laughing because he was tickling me, despite the fact he thought he was a big ferocious Macaw, able of biting off a finger.

[lovezebs]

sparrowsong98