Harness Training Chicks

[BillsBirds]

I ran into an old friend today at a Bird Show (Ammerman's in Florida) who breeds several different species of Parrots. In talking, she mentioned that she gets top dollar for her chicks because they are not just hand tamed, but she harness trains them, as well. So, the new parront gets a hand fed & tamed bird that is already harness trained. And, she includes the harness with the bird. I think that's a great idea. I did not think this is a usual practice. Do any breeders here do this, as well?

 

[MikeyTN]

You know this is a great idea for most breeders to do, but I highly doubt most breeders would do this as they're too busy feeding more chicks and making more money. Most don't even socialize with them then to bother to harness train them. And no I have not harness train my baby tiels cause I don't see the need. But I do socialize them big time before they leave.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I met one galah breeder at a bird show and asked her about this, she told me she used to harness train all her babies but now she only does it per request.

I think all breeders should be knowledgeable in harnesses so they can offer that option.

 

[henpecked]

I've been doing it for several years now. However i get extra to do it. It still takes a lot of time and effort. IMO most bird owners(first timers) don't realize how much efffort it does take to harness train even unfledged babies. It is much easier than training the adults,LOL. Something i haven't had much success with. Hate i missed the Ammermens show, any good deals? I know the answer to that one.

 

[Mayden]

I've been doing it for several years now. However i get extra to do it. It still takes a lot of time and effort. IMO most bird owners(first timers) don't realize how much efffort it does take to harness train even unfledged babies. It is much easier than training the adults,LOL. Something i haven't had much success with. Hate i missed the Ammermens show, any good deals? I know the answer to that one.

Would have loved my guys to come to me harness trained, I'd have paid more for that too!

Nice to see some breeders actually caring about birds and what happens to them after they're sold. I think it's a great idea! :21:

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I had never known any breeders did this until recently, when I got Gilbert (and wanted to take full advantage of having a 2 month old baby, who would be 'easy' to harness train.....as opposed to my Georgie who would have been problematic to say the least, LOL). I was just happy to find someone who took the time to take Gilbert out for java tree play time/socialization each day before I got him.

 

[Klaery]

There is a great breeder here who I know provides the option but you do have to ask in advance.

Some may know that I used to breed alot of smaller Australian parrots when I was younger. I stopped that years ago as it got to be too much like work and I didn't see the need for it. One day though I plan to have one or two pairs (only!) of a smaller parrot species and breed a limited number of birds that I can really socialise well and harness train before they leave me. I can't see it being very economical for many of the larger breeders as it takes up so much time.