Blue Front Free Flying...

...Does anyone free fly their Blue Front??... I would love to see a picture!

I follow Stephen with his Mac's..I am in awe..and I think of what poor Amy might be missing out on..can you teach an "old girl new tricks"



Jim

Hopefully, you mean harness! Too easy to loose your baby! Even on a leash, you have the danger of Hawks! Connecticut does have it's share!

An Old Girl can be taught new tricks and especially if you are talking about her learning /relearning how to fly.

As we learn more about their Heart /Lung (air sacks) and flying, the importance of even 'in-the-home' flying becomes stronger every year.

Teaching /reteaching an Amazon to fly starts (as with us) with a check-up at their Avian Vet's office to determine their current condition and any restrictions that may apply.

Teaching flying, starts with the hold and drop to regain the muscle mass of the chest that supports flight. Next is drop and move forward a few feet. Then a drop, move to around the room once, follow by multi-rooms.

At and around the time you make a full room trip, its time to start teaching her how to land. This best happens in the bedroom with the drop and move with wings flapping lower her to the bed surface and land your hand.

Clearly this is just an outline of the process, but you get the point.

The important part is you're getting to know and able to hear, and determine your Amazon's heart rate. At the Vets, have your Vet allow you to hear her heart and make a mental note as to the 'heart beat rate' you are hearing.

But first, get a go-ahead from your Avian Vet and we will start from there once you have it.

Your girl will be healthier and so will you!

Flboy said:

Hopefully, you mean harness! Too easy to loose your baby! Even on a leash, you have the danger of Hawks! Connecticut does have it's share!

Click to expand...

Oh, you need not tell me that! I had up front and personal experience last year when one red tail landed in my front bushes to try and grab a poor sparrow for lunch!
I have lived at this location almost all my life,and that was the first time I ever saw a hawk in my 'hood!


Jim

SailBoat said:

An Old Girl can be taught new tricks and especially if you are talking about her learning /relearning how to fly.

As we learn more about their Heart /Lung (air sacks) and flying, the importance of even 'in-the-home' flying becomes stronger every year.

Teaching /reteaching an Amazon to fly starts (as with us) with a check-up at their Avian Vet's office to determine their current condition and any restrictions that may apply.

Teaching flying, starts with the hold and drop to regain the muscle mass of the chest that supports flight. Next is drop and move forward a few feet. Then a drop, move to around the room once, follow by multi-rooms.

At and around the time you make a full room trip, its time to start teaching her how to land. This best happens in the bedroom with the drop and move with wings flapping lower her to the bed surface and land your hand.

Clearly this is just an outline of the process, but you get the point.

The important part is you're getting to know and able to hear, and determine your Amazon's heart rate. At the Vets, have your Vet allow you to hear her heart and make a mental note as to the 'heart beat rate' you are hearing.

But first, get a go-ahead from your Avian Vet and we will start from there once you have it.

Your girl will be healthier and so will you!

Click to expand...

Steven...this past april when I took Amy in for her wellness check-up and have her DNA'd < Remember? I found out Amy is really AMOS !>
Her doc said she was very health,except a little "over weight", so I think she would be good to go. I guess I could make an appointment <Actually I just received a post card in the mail for her 6 month check up> and ask her Doc on what she thought.
I just watched a couple youtube vids of BF's zooming around and it was breath taking!

Jim

Yup Jim, I do remember that visit and your findings. And to that end, kept fighting myself with regards to using he or him as I was replying. And I think I did a really good job of it.

The normal Avian Vet visit is not based around a specific question like: If I start aggressively Flight Training my Amazon, are there any concerns or things I should be watching for?

Compared to an 'In Door' flyer, Amy's life is pretty much 'At Rest.' Nothing wrong mind you, but care should be taken when you transition from one level to a major upgrade in activity. That would be like me at my Doctor's office stating that I am going to start running 25K runs this coming weekend. After my Doctor picked himself off the floor from laughing himself silly, he would say: Nice idea, but NO! You need a detailed examination to see how bad your old heart and lungs are, let alone your muscle tone, etc, etc, etc,.....

Point being, Amy's Avian Vet visit was based solely on life as he is currently living it! If I tried to run a 25K this weekend, it could kill me, and I do not say that lightly. And, the same is possible for your Amy. Those huge muscles place a heavy demand on Amy's heart and lungs (air sacks) that could result in serious physical stress that could serious hurt your sweetheart. And neither of us wants that!

So Yes, seeing your Avian Vet is a must and being very clear as to why will be important so that the correct testing is done! And please, make it a point to being able to hearing Amy's heart rate!!!!



Our DYH Amazon is a 'In-House' flyer and compared to our YWA, his muscle tone and heart are at a very different level. By the way, an Amazon flying at your across the room or across the yard is a truly amazing sight, the only difference is the background!