Is a harness a good idea

[ringobird]

hey, just wondering, is a birdy harness/ birdy diaper a good idea? I was wondering because I would like to take ringobird places without the worry of having him fly away

 

[Oedipussrex]

I have an aviator harness for pickle and it's great. The only thing is training them to be in it, if they hate it it can just be stressfull and if they chew through it without you noticing that is obviously bad... I have heard horror stories about birds that flew away while wearing them and can get tangled in trees and things, but with proper supervision this should be fine.

 

[azdesertrhino]

I wish we could get MAC harness trained but at the point he will not have any part of it!!

Good luck!!

 

[Alisana]

If you plan to use it:
- Train with it all the time; start by just showing it (show it as a loop first, not as a cord - they associate cord with snake sometimes) and let them beak it
- As you progress, expose more and more of the harness
- Finally have it fully exposed and if you haven't already, start with touching everywhere on the body, head, wings, under wings, chest, etc.
- Once comfortable, bring the harness closer while touching; then start slipping and slipping it off
- When completely comfortable, then you can start putting it on; moment it's on, take him/her outside so it associates harness with outside
- Start with short periods and gradually extend them

Remember, to ALWAYS hold onto the other end of the leash! If your bird flies away, as Oedipussrex has said, they can get tangled in trees or worse. Don't ever let it go!

Good luck

 

[mrob]

My harness training was supremely unsuccesful.
BUT, my bird hates the dreaded harness SO MUCH, that any time he misbehaves, i just have to waggle it in his direction and he becomes a very good boy!

 

[henpecked]

Hey mrob, same deal with me,LOL. I've had better luck with unweaned babies ,in fact i've done quite a few of them. Older zons ,not so much luck.

 

[MaraWentz]

The harnesses can be good and bad. If you parrot accepts it AND doesn't chew through it it will be great, but should something startle him and he goes to fly we assume he wont go far, but reality is the leash may slip form your hands and you may end up with a strangled bird and even if you do hold it and it doesn't come out if he flies around something he can get caught up and potentially strangle. Now My bird never flew in her harness, we just practice free flight, but I know that the leash is a big hazard for getting caught on things-whether you hold on tight or it slips away. Just be careful and stay in a clear area.