You don’t have to worry about the TV show, It’s non-Cannon.

"Ultimately, the ratbirds did work to represent a very important element of Flint's journey, namely his lack of ability to think through the consequences of his actions as an inventor."

-- Phil Lord, director

His youthful impulsiveness is purposely built into his character.

He is a engineering genius but that dosen't mean he's good at anything else lol