Taming an Alexandrine

[abby-oldaccount]

Apr 21, 2008 17:29:17 GMT 10 avinet said:

I seem to remember being told it is illegal to clip birds' wings in Victoria under some animal welfare legislation and hence taping is used there. I've always meant to try and find out if that's true - anyone here from Victoria who can comment?

Not a Victorian but I did try and find the information. All I can say is how any Victorians can get info on the EPA site is beyond me. It's confusing and hard to navigate to find what you want. In short I couldn't find a anything but that doesn't mean that it's not there.

SA has a fairly easy to find, easy to read code of practice in relation to captive birds. Wing clipping isn't mentioned, pinioning (shudders) is.

[abby-oldaccount]

Oops tried another avenue. Can't see anything about wing clipping in the code of practice though unless you call it a version of restraint and I think that's pushing the definition.

Victorian code of practice - caged birds

It's an interesting read.

[avinet]

Apr 22, 2008 8:13:48 GMT 10 abby-oldaccount said:

Oops tried another avenue. Can't see anything about wing clipping in the code of practice though unless you call it a version of restraint and I think that's pushing the definition.

Victorian code of practice - caged birds

It's an interesting read.

The Victorian Code has the following statement in section 5:-

Cage birds should have the ability for free flight and nothing should prevent or hinder this ability. Cage birds should not be wing clipped except for the health of the individual bird and on the advice of a veterinarian experienced in working with birds.

This can be interpreted as meaning that unless your vet specifically tells you that the bird needs a wing clip then it shouldn't be clipped, or taped for that matter. I guess taping is used so that it can be removed when needed and not have to wait for a moult to remove the evidence of restraint on flying.

The code is interesting - particularly the recommended cage sizes for indoor cages. For instance it recommends that a single cockatiel be in a cage that has a floor area of 5000 sq cm, or 100 x 50 cm and if you have 2 tiels then it would need to be 100 x 75 cm. Get a tape and measure that out! How many here keep a single cockatiel in the house in a cage that size. Even my two Greys are in a smaller cage - 4000 sq cm.

It also promotes the myth that finches, because they are small, can live in a small cage. The suggested size for a single finch is 30 x 33 cm (1000 sq cm) while for a pair it suggests 50 x 30 cm. My recommendation is that the minimum for a pair of zebras is 60 x 45 cm and that many species such as the African waxbills should never be in cages, only aviaries.

cheers,

Mike

[abby-oldaccount]

Missed that bit.
Now it took me awhile to find that document. Just wondering how many Victorian bird owners would actually realise that they're violating the code of practice in it's strict terms.

[vankarhi]

what is pinioning???

[zooyouthben]

the removal of half of one of the wings, mainly used for waterfowl.

[pinkdevil]

yeah I only learnt about pinioning just last month. It seems like a very cruel practice to me

How can anyone justify cutting the wing off at the joint to stop the bird from flying away? Nasty!!!!!

[vankarhi]

OMG.......now that is bloody cruel. I am assuming you mean not just feathers here either Ben?

Sorry Tash just read your post ....... clipping wings is so less cruel. I guess though it needs to be done regularly (the clipping that is) whereas pinioning is permanent Well all I can say is that is really nasty in my opinion.

[zooyouthben]

From a personall point of view (with waterfowl) i think pioning is good (ish) You can allow you animal large area of land to graze or swim on, this can be done with clipped wings, but for those with large numbers of birds and large lakes pioning is easier.

[Jane]

Wow not sure how I missed this but how cruel to tape the wings Can you imagine not being able to spread your wings to balance how itchy the poor poor bird must be and the damage it must do to itself crashing to the floor
How you all were so restrained in your responses is amazing you were all very diplomatic

[vankarhi]

Yes we were werent we ;D

[courtzrocks]

Lol I had to PM tracey to vent a bit lol cos i was trying to convince nicely but I was fuming inside.

[vankarhi]

You weren't the only one to pm me Courtney ;D

[vankarhi]

Anyway I think enough has been said. I have learned some things too some have shocked me. But at least now I can say ......... I know a bit more today than I knew yesterday.

[courtzrocks]

Yeah, I had never even heard of wing taping, must be that outdated. I'm glad I wasnt the only one to PM you.

[madaussie]

My Alex's love a cuddle buddy is 8months old so is co jack they where both fledged and left free and untouched till i got them

i used a leather glove and within two hours no more glove after two hours of beak rubbing and getting them used to being on there back etc i get a few good bites but thats life other then that they are now the biggest sooks ever.
j

[vankarhi]

yes I have used welding gloves in the past to tame larger birds. It is not actually to tame them but to prevent them from biting me hard enough to stop me from handling them. It also shows them they can bite until the cows come home but I am not going to flinch.

We still use welding gloves when handling Skye my female eclectus. She will willingly step up for my husband but he always wears the gloves because he has seen the damage she has inflicted on me when she has decided to attack me. Yes I say attack for those who do not know my story on Skye. She does not just bite me ...... when she wants to let me know she is not impressed........she bites, screams, flaps, lunges and flies at me and has left me bleeding and bruised on more than one occassion. But she is a female ekkie to the "extreme" lol ;D