To harness or not to harness..

Lately, I have been taking Amy outside more and more,and she really grooves on it .

She just loves rides in the car or my friend Joes' truck,and she likes walking around in the grass at the local park,usually picking up sticks/twigs and pulling them apart <better than my furniture lol>

I don't have her harnessed,just keep her arms well clipped. In the almost 30 yrs She has been with me,she has attempted to "fly" maybe three or four times,usually out of fright,and always failing miserably at it,launching herself from her roof top and just going SPLAT on the floor in front of her,makng it maybe five feet

Now that she is outside more I have been thinking of a harness of some kind,just for safty reasons. I don't know if she'd appreciate one on her tho.
I can handle her very well,but I'm just not sure,yanno??

Can someone post a pic of their 'zon in a harness,and tell me how the birdie handles it?

Thanks a bunch!!
Jim

Remember, even in Connecticut, there are hawks! Down here, they will snatch a bird right off your shoulder!

I always advise folks who carry their parrot outside, learn how to clip their wings yourself and be the only person responsible for keeping them that way. Sounds like she might have flight feathers but you don't know.They do grow back and YOU need to know what to look for.

Flboy said:

Remember, even in Connecticut, there are hawks! Down here, they will snatch a bird right off your shoulder!

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Ya,Bald Eagles too..they are making a comeback here..never thought about that..til you mentioned...Thanks Flboy! :52:


Jim

henpecked said:

I always advise folks who carry their parrot outside, learn how to clip their wings yourself and be the only person responsible for keeping them that way. Sounds like she might have flight feathers but you don't know.They do grow back and YOU need to know what to look for.

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Yes I know they grow back and they are starting to do that now. Early april I took her to the vet,when I acquired Jonesy and had him checked out,and the vet clipped her feathers and trimmed her nails.

But not going outside,untill recently, I let them grow back for the winter. Even then fully feathered,she just couldn't fly. Every spring she gets clipped,just in case there is a point in time that I want to take her outside.

I'd rather have the VET clip/trim, I feel more secure that way,plus The Doc gives her a quick check-up.


Jim

Im still training mine. She would freak out before when I was harnes training her at the petstore, but since she been home I have spent time working with her by lifting each of her wings out and counting to 3 and pushing each of her side to put her off balance and counting to three then she gets her favorite treat. while i do that her harness is right next to her. Now she doesn't seem to mind the harness because I have a leash that is exactly the same color as the harness and material and I leave that inside her cage. Since she is used to seeing it so she doesn't freak out. I have successfully put it on her few times and she doesnt mind it. * maybe because she still a baby* BUT its something!

heres a picture of her in her harness out doors.

Thanks Joyce! Awwww she is sooooo pretty!


Jim

Kelly is flighted so he has to be harnessed when he goes out. He grumbles and growls the whole time I put it on him...but he has pretty much stopped chewing on it while its on.

Awwww - cute Bella in her harness!

Tomorrow I'm taking Amy to the local "All Pets" pet shop. For a minimum fee they clip her feathers and do her nails. I like taking her to the vet coz they use a dremel tool on her nails and make them real blunt,where I can handle her for along time before it gets uncomfortable for me The pet shop just uses clippers.
I am still afraid doing it myself,even tho she allows me to spread her arms with no fuss and I can manipulate her toes.

While we are there, I'm going to look at harnesses..Joyce? what size do you have for Bella?? It seems to fit her nicely.
Amy's attitude seems to have changed,for the better! since going outside more..and she has become extra sweet and seems to love meeting new people.

Jim

I love my harness for sissy..the other day she did awesome. She just kept saying 'I like it, I like it'