Breeder/seller method of holding

[OutlawedSpirit]

For people who may read this thread in the future who are new to birds, just wanted to add every owner should at least know how and be comfortable with restraining their bird safely. Even if you always have the vet do grooming, in emergencies it is better to already know how to do it. Say a blood feather breaks. You aren't necessarily going to have enough time to get the bird to a vet before they bleed out and will have to pull the broken blood feather at home yourself and then administer basic first aid before contacting the vet. Or if your parrot is injured and needs immediate treatment with styptic powder to stop bleeding and an antiseptic applied to the wound to prevent infection from setting in while the wound is fresh. Another thing that will likely need to be done first before contacting/getting in with a vet.

Having a panicked, bleeding bird in pain and a panicked, concerned human trying to help said bird is not going to be fun to try your hand at restraint for the first time. Learn on a healthy bird and learn proper restraint for every size bird in your flock!

I would also like to add to this. Not only is it a very good idea to know how to do this ahead of time in case any emergency ever arises, I've noticed a lot of birds in distress seem much more comfortable and calm being held like this than being restrained in a towel. Especially if it is by someone they know and are comfortable with.

In fact, with my tame birds, I practice restraining them around their necks frequently, but also work it into a small trick so that is not just holding them by their necks. It gives them something else to focus on and a treat afterwards, so it mashes restraining them a positive thing.

First, if you do not now how to properly restrain your bird, ask your AV to show you how to first. Then, what I do is start by restraining them, but then slowing work into teaching them to do something like lay on their back, or I can turn Chicken upside down and she'll balance with her shoulders sort of cupped on my thumb and forefinger.

I'm sure there are tons of other little tricks that could be worked in just to made sure that your bird sees it as a positive experience in case there is ever an emergency. It will maker it just that much easier to handle.

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[LordTriggs]

oh don't worry, I was never planning on buying from a breeder like that. Trying to find a decent one around here is absolutely the worst. Luckily due to my stance on buying such as not paying anything until I meet the bird, ETC I know I should find a good breeder. Saying that I'm still thinking adoption is the route to go. Once I build up some savings again I'm hoping to adopt a delightful sounding Meyers from birdline who has me a bit smitten

 

[Anansi]

Great posts in this thread. I want to cosign on April's point about learning how to properly handle one's bird before a crisis arises. So very important.

The neck is the strongest area on the body, and that's definitely a restraint hold, but done slightly incorrectly from the way my vet does it. Usually it's on either side of the head, kind of "cupping" the head in a way, holding on either side of the beak closer to the ears, not holding the front where the throat is. This is done because you don't want to put pressure around the body and restrict breathing, but I've always seen the other hand supporting the body anyway.

This is a link to a pdf of a proper restraint hold.
http://www.avianwelfare.org/shelters/pdf/NBD_shelters_parrots.pdf

Perfect! Yes, that link shows exactly the right way to restrain a bird. It's definitely not about just yoking them up by the neck, as seen in the example of how not to grab (and often demonstrated by the "Parrot Wizard" in his videos), but rather holding them supportively and securing the beak to prevent bites.

 

[LordTriggs]

very true. I think I thankfully didn't need to restrain my conure more than once when he got caught by the harness when he freaked out. I just put up with the bites from him as I was more worried about him but it's good to know that is the proper way to do so

 

[clark_conure]

With a big bird I see how that could be a good way to hold them, but my GCC is the same size as he is in my avatar, and he's used to being held by the back. I hold his feet on middle finger and thumb and my hand goes over both wings and it works. Clipping feathers I put him in my lap and i just kind of pull the wing out, he protests but he doesn't bite.

 

[babyboomer1001]

So looking through different ads for birds I find a lot of them with pictures like this

My opinion agrees with your opinion. Something isn't right. It may be tame because it does not appear to be biting him but, he should not have to grab it like that, by the scruff of the neck and almost in a choke hold. I have never photographed a bird like that. I have to wonder whether he abuses it?

 

[Scott]

I've learned a lot from this thread! Never knew of this method for holding a bird, I generally cradle them with both hands if necessary. During an emergency, all bets are off as they revert to fight/flight instincts.

 

[Cas27]

I don't think you can hold a macaw like that.

 

[Kiwibird]

I don't think you can hold a macaw like that.

You still control them by holding them behind the head/back of the neck, but birds much larger than a small conure need additional abdominal/lower body support a single hand just cannot provide. With larger parrots, restraining using this method is typically a 2 person job- 1 person restraining, the other grooming, examining or treating an injury. As noted in the vet instructional video I posted, when a macaw (orAG) is being restrained, you have to be extra careful around their delicate facial skin too.