How long does it take for clipped wing to grow back?

**ang1477** · 11-28-2007, 02:06 PM

I had Mo's wings clipped when I got him. It was the only way I could calm him down to handle him. He was a biter. Big time!! Anyway, I think his wings were clipped too short. I brought him to a different person then when I had Lulu, her's were too short as well. Does anyone know somewhere where maybe I can print up a pic or something to show one of them? So that next time they are not too short? Right now he just crashes to the floor and after readiing the latest thread about tiel's broken chestbones, it's got me worried.

**RobinD** · 11-28-2007, 02:28 PM

I'm not sure, but the number that jumps in my head is three months or so. But you know maybe over time he'll build up his muscles so that he can get more lift from what you left him...

I couldn't connect the wing-clipping and the biting... did you want him to feel like more dependent on you? I'm just curious... I would never think of doing that myself (I sporadically get my success through good things to eat or being their girlfriend.)

**spyderwebb** · 11-28-2007, 02:37 PM

I am waiting just like you. In fact I asked this same quetion and no one answered. So I am hoping you will get a more "sure" response. I purchased my cockatiel Buddy a while ago and the lady cut his wings way to short. I am very frustrated but I am waiting extremely patiently for them to grow out. I hope you have better luck on getting your birds wings trimmed next time. I can tell Buddy's feathers are growing a little, but it's gonna feel like forever!

**ang1477** · 11-28-2007, 06:08 PM

His wings have grown some, but he still crashes.

I did not do it to get him to be more dependant on me. There was nothing Icould do with him otherwise.

**LittleMissy491** · 11-28-2007, 06:48 PM

Yeah, I know what you are going through. Watching your tiel crash to the floor is heartbreaking. When I bought my little Icky, his wings were already clipped, no clipped isn't the word, Hacked off is more like it... He is finally growing them out and it has been about 5 months for me. Just be extra careful and watch him so he doesn't try to fly. I would suggest building his muscles by doing Flappies. Hope this helps!

**kibibi** · 11-28-2007, 06:51 PM

The time it takes to get their flight feathers back depends on where they are in their molt. So there really isn't a set time for getting their flight feathers back. They all don't grow back at the same time because they all don't molt at the same time. If they did, the bird would lose all of it's flight feathers at the same time and wouldn't be able to fly. This would be fatal in the wild.
For future trims, you should take a note of how many flight feathers were cut and their cut length. Both of these factors can be changed to allow better flight. Here's a good article to read on clipping.
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/clip.html