VN April 2022

Vetnews | April 2022 9 Blood feathers, do not clip Feathers – flight feathers of the wings are known as remiges, whereas the tail flight feathers are known as retrices. The primary remiges are asymmetrical and range in number from 9 to 11, depending on the species. The external vane is narrower and arises from the periosteum of the metacarpus. The secondary remiges arise from the periosteum of the ulna. Different types of feathers cover the body for diverse purposes; however, this article will not discuss it. The calamus is the proximal end of the shaft, which is embedded in the follicle. In the calamus of the immature feather, pulp which is loose reticulum of mesoderm with axial artery and vein. The pulp retracts as the feather matures and is then known as the pulp caps. It is recommended to avoid clipping immature feathers as they can bleed excessively. Ligating the calamus with suture material is recommended if the immature feather has trauma. Avoid pulling the feather as it will cause pain and may result in cyst or abscessation of the follicle. Feather colour changes and quality can be indicative of underlying disease or malnutrition. Wing trimming is a controversial topic. It has been proven that flighted birds are psychologically better off. As a veterinarian, I believe it boils down to the owner's responsibility as a flighted bird or a clipped bird with an irresponsible owner can be problematic. For this article, I will discuss the recommended method of wing clipping. If an owner wants to keep their bird flighted, it will require training, and many courses are available. It is recommended not to clip young birds too early; they should be able to fly and land properly before clipping. A wing clip should aim to avoid a strong and sustainable flight, not stop the patient from flying. Over the years, there have been many methods of wing clipping. It is recommended to only clip the primaries bilaterally and NOT the secondaries. The primaries are responsible for allowing the bird to get and maintain height. I usually clip 4-6 primaries starting from the lateral aspect. Unilateral clipping can effectively deflight the bird; however, the disadvantage is that the bird will be severely unbalanced, increasing the risk of spiral falling compared to bilateral clips. Recommended clip >>> 10 Leading Article