To clip forest or not to clip?

[Nir]

I have always been a supporter of flighted birds but i kind of have a dilemma. i feel kinda bad about forest(my budgie) that i am not able to take him outside without his carrier. He just hates hands and wont let anyone grab him or touch him (he will step up to anyone or use anyone as a perch but thats about it) which is no problem but the problem comes when i want to train him to wear a aviator harness. its nearly impossible to teach him. Also when i go on trips, i can easily see myself taking mango along because i would feel safer that he will be fine since he is still not flighted yet (bought him clipped) even though he can glide far. But thing is i will teach him to wear a harness so it will be fine. but forest i wont be able to so i will have to leave him home for a weekend trip. He really wont get the kind of freedom that i can give mango because he wont ever be able to wear a harness. So i was thinking what if i clip him and then basically retame him enough where he gets comfortable of being held and grabbed and while i teach him to wear a harness? i hate taking his flight freedom away but in the long run i think he will have much more freedom next time when he is fully flighted since he will be tamer.

but still not sure what to do? any advice is greatly appreciated.

[cml]

I have always been a supporter of flighted birds but i kind of have a dilemma. i feel kinda bad about forest(my budgie) that i am not able to take him outside without his carrier. He just hates hands and wont let anyone grab him or touch him (he will step up to anyone or use anyone as a perch but thats about it) which is no problem but the problem comes when i want to train him to wear a aviator harness. its nearly impossible to teach him. Also when i go on trips, i can easily see myself taking mango along because i would feel safer that he will be fine since he is still not flighted yet (bought him clipped) even though he can glide far. But thing is i will teach him to wear a harness so it will be fine. but forest i wont be able to so i will have to leave him home for a weekend trip. He really wont get the kind of freedom that i can give mango because he wont ever be able to wear a harness. So i was thinking what if i clip him and then basically retame him enough where he gets comfortable of being held and grabbed and while i teach him to wear a harness? i hate taking his flight freedom away but in the long run i think he will have much more freedom next time when he is fully flighted since he will be tamer.

but still not sure what to do? any advice is greatly appreciated.

Dont clip. Its NOT a solution. Parrots can enjoy being outdoors in carriers, a harness just makes it easier.
http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=10542

[Eric&Rebecca]

I agree don't clip, it really messes with their psychology and will actually make him more aggressive towards everything. Take him out in a small cage or carrier, its just as good as fresh air. Harnesses are a great solution but not for everyone. As long as he's getting the fresh air and exercise indoors thats ok. You could even try building a DIY flight cage for outside... You're really good at building things from what I've seen.

[Nir]

I agree don't clip, it really messes with their psychology and will actually make him more aggressive towards everything. Take him out in a small cage or carrier, its just as good as fresh air. Harnesses are a great solution but not for everyone. As long as he's getting the fresh air and exercise indoors thats ok. You could even try building a DIY flight cage for outside... You're really good at building things from what I've seen.

i would definitely do that except i dont have a backyard =/. but i hear what your saying. thats kinda what i think to.

[marie83]

Dont clip. You can get teeny tiny cages for budgies if you really want to take him out, they are really small and lightweight so wouldn't be too much hassle to carry.

Also clipped budgies and tiel can often fly suprisingly well with clipped wings, particuarly if they already have good muscle tone, they will just figure out how to rebalance themselves.

Harnesses don't tend to go small enough for budgies anyway, you would need a flight suit.