Flight Feathers Keep Breaking

[KNG]

Hi guys, I've been letting Lola's flight feathers grow out (they were previously clipped), but the problem is they keep breaking off! I'm wondering if it's because they aren't growing in at the same time, so the one feather is unsupported when she flaps and snaps in half. She has lost at least a couple from each wing. I feel bad for her. It can't be comfortable. I know I couldn't pluck them...that would be so painful for her (and me)! What should I do?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

At what point are they breaking off? Are these feathers that just grew in? They aren't still blood feathers, are they?

[zazanomore]

I actually went through the same thing with my cockatiel when his flight feathers were growing in.

I just let it be, and soon enough I saw the clipped feathers coming out more and more often, and eventually, he had the beautiful wings he has today.

I say, wait it out.

[CheekyandMalolo]

I can't say I've ever had trouble growing flight feathers, just trying to grow tail feathers! Especially on the Princess Parrot, he just kept landing on his bum and breaking them off! He ended up being locked in his (amply sized) cage for as long as it took them to grow, when he finally came out of his cage he had such fun flying around and didn't land on his bum anymore!

[Michael]

I had the same problem with Kili. Still do. She only has 3 primary feathers on one wing and yet a complete set on the other. And this is a molt or two since they began growing in. Clipping is terrible and this is the consequence you pay (rather your bird).

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I had the same problem with Kili. Still do. She only has 3 primary feathers on one wing and yet a complete set on the other. And this is a molt or two since they began growing in. Clipping is terrible and this is the consequence you pay (rather your bird).

I don't know if it's clipping per se... both of ours are growing them in with no problem. Scooter is doing it for a third time and there hasn't been a single broken feather on either.

[felix11]

My vet offers a procedure that gives a clipped bird immediate flight feathers. They basically carefully glue in new individual feathers on top of clipped wings. These 'fake' feathers fall out when the clipped feather is molted, so your bird is always flighted.They recommend it for young clipped birds who were not fledged properly, so the bird can learn to fly before it gets too old. It costs about $300 (AUS), I think.
I am seriously considering it for Pony, especially after hearing that Killi doesn't have all her flight feathers after two molts