HH Owners: Do you have any flight feathers you can donate?

[JosienBB]

Hi hawkhead parronts,

Does anyone have any hawkhead flight feathers that just happen to be lying around? I'm considering imping Target because she keeps on trying to fly and I'm worried she might hurt herself soon. I was advised on AA that it's a better alternative to having the vet pull her broken flights. Problem is, a full set of hawkhead flights is not easy to come by, especially in Canada. She's missing quite a few primaries, all of her secondaries, and some of her coverts (but I'm not sure if the coverts will be imped). Any help, however small, is greatly appreciated.

 

[Birdlover]

I might have them. I will see what Ive got Do you have a vet that will do it? I had wanted to do this for a bird and my vet wouldnt. I went to someone else, who said they would and because my bird didnt have a bad clip (she was properly clipped but I still wanted flight) he wouldnt do it either. I think its pretty darn cool and had been saving flights for this purpose, I just need to see what shape they are in.

 

[Bokkapooh]

Jill to the rescue! I hope you have some flights available Jill. How kind of you!

 

[JosienBB]

Thank you so much, Jill! I'll need to ask around to see if any vets will do it. My regular vet is said to be very experienced, but he's got a bit of an attitude. Hmm... I know there's one about a two hour drive from me who does all sorts of things, so I'm crossing my fingers I'll be calling around first thing tomorrow.

 

[Birdlover]

Sounds good! Excited to hear what they say. I found what I think is a full set for one side (primary & secondary) but I seem to only have primaries for the other. Between my 4 there are probably some laying around I just didnt grab so I'll check in the morning.

Steve Hartman sent me pionus flights for mine, as he said they were close enough in size to be used. I still havent even opened the package but I will and see what they are like. I can just send everything and see what works.

 

[JosienBB]

You're awesome, Jill! Thank you so much! Now I'm really anxious to hear what the vet says.

 

[Kelli]

What exactly is imping? I'm super curious....

 

[Birdlover]

Imping is re-attaching flight feathers to a clipped bird. They eventually molt out just like a regular feather.

Nothing better than to explain it in pictures

Imping; Replacing Mowglie's Clipped Flight Feathers by Steve Hartman    The Parrot University

I also I was thinking about this earlier and I thought should have mentioned why the two vets wouldnt do it. The first is very pro-flight but hadnt done it before, so didnt feel he should to the procedure (I fully respect that). The second vet was incredibly pro-clip (why he had me drive 3 hours when he was set against it is beyond me). He could do it, but he would only do it to a young baby that had a butcher job on its wings, which my bird clearly was not. She can fly now so it turned out fine anyway.

 

[JosienBB]

Rats. Called my regular vet and he's on leave until the 19th, so we won't know what he'll say until then. Called the specialist vet, but the line was busy. It says on their website that they imp falcons, though, so I don't see why they wouldn't imp Target, too. Does anyone have an idea what it might cost? I hope it's not too expensive, I don't want to eat into the emergency vet funds.

 

[Bokkapooh]

Probably around $200 if this was done at my avian vets office.

 

[Tinta]

If no vet around you will do it you can try a bird rehab or something, if there is one close. Maybe they'd do it. Maybe.

 

[JosienBB]

$200 sounds very reasonable, almost too good to be true. Vet wants to charge me $300 for pulling out Target's flights. I'm guessing $200 wouldn't include anaesthesia, though. Hmm... I'm going to give them another call tomorrow.

Tinta, I'm not sure there are any bird rehabs near me, but I'll certainly try that route too.

 

[Momto3boys]

Sarah had Maui recently imped. I cant remember what she paid though...

I think its so darn cool that they can do these types of things.

 

[Birdlover]

I have to admit, Im pretty excited about the possibility. I hope they can do it and the feathers work

Here's what I have.

From my HH's - Left side I have 11 primaries and three secondaries. Right side I have 9 primaries and 2 secondaries.
Also attaching a pic of the feathers I was given. I was told they were from Pionus but they could be others too, Im not sure. Some look a little small but there may be enough combined to do a bird, plus at least having some extras for backup.

Hawkhead Left:



Hawkhead Right:



Pionus:

 

[JosienBB]

Those look wonderful, Jill!! I'm getting really anxious now. Why is that number always busy?? If anyone knows a direct number to the Avian & Exotics department at the Ontario Veterinary College, I'd be really grateful.

 

[Bokkapooh]

Try emailing?

 

[JosienBB]

I don't see an e-mail listed on the site, maybe I'm not navigating the site properly??

Avian and Exotics Medicine Service Species - OVC Health Sciences Centre

 

[wonderb]

"To Contact us via email click here."
Contact Us - OVC Health Sciences Centre

Gives you a form to fill out.

 

[JosienBB]

Update: my normal vet does not do imping. Confirmed this in a phone call today. Which leaves OVC, from whom I'm still waiting to hear back.

 

[Birdlover]

what a bummer Hopefully the other place can!