When I purchased her back in August Malutka's wings were already clipped. It was a little concerning to me because she was still very young when her breeder clipped them. She just reached 4 months old and is the youngest in my colony of 5. All of the older budgie's wings have been clipped, but they all have had "flying practice" beforehand, but I don't think that Malutka has ever flown before.
When perched onto my finger, I hold each bird a few inches away from the cage door (the better they can glide with their flight feathers still growing back in, the farther I hold them away from the door). I let them decide when to take off, than they usually make it into the cage. I do this so that they can still practice flying even though their wings are clipped. Malutka has a very hard time deciding, and when she does decide, she usually falls. I catch her with my other hand though.
I understand that an older bird with more experience will fly better than a younger one with less. I also noticed in my colony that even when their wings are clipped, the older budgies can still glide pretty far.
How else can I help Malutka with this problem? I am letting her (and the other 4 budgies) flight feathers grow back because they are going into a new outdoor aviary soon. I want her to be ready.
When perched onto my finger, I hold each bird a few inches away from the cage door (the better they can glide with their flight feathers still growing back in, the farther I hold them away from the door). I let them decide when to take off, than they usually make it into the cage. I do this so that they can still practice flying even though their wings are clipped. Malutka has a very hard time deciding, and when she does decide, she usually falls. I catch her with my other hand though.
I understand that an older bird with more experience will fly better than a younger one with less. I also noticed in my colony that even when their wings are clipped, the older budgies can still glide pretty far.
How else can I help Malutka with this problem? I am letting her (and the other 4 budgies) flight feathers grow back because they are going into a new outdoor aviary soon. I want her to be ready.