Chain Mesh Gloves for Biting Parrots

[Paracelsus]

Does anyone have any experience using butcher's chain mesh gloves to prevent injuries from large parrots that bite?

We have an umbrella cockatoo that is starting to bite more aggressively, and need some protection!

Thank you.

 

[SilverSage]

I agree. Most parrots are afraid of gloves which can cause the biting to worsen. Also, when wearing gloves it is harder to feel exactly what is going on and it is more likely that the parrot will be injured.

I understand the feeling of needing something to protect your hands, but I assure you, parrots do not suddenly start biting for no reason. Try to figure out what is causing the change. How long have you had the bird, and how old is it? Has anything changed recently? Has the bird been biting everyone, or just one person? Is it only when a certain person is in the room, whether or not that is the person receiving the bite? Is it more at certain times of the day? Has his diet, sleep schedule, routine, cage location, or anything like that changed? Did someone get a new haircut, has the furniture been rearranged, did someone leave for college? If you cannot figure out what is causing it, I HIGHLY recommend a trip to the Avian Vet. Sometimes a change in personality is the only clue we get that something is very very wrong with our bird; the "aggression" may be caused by illness.

Another thing to consider seriously is if the bird is getting enough attention, and if he has enough things to do all day to keep that incredible mind busy. A bored parrot is a cranky parrot, and so is a lonely one! Parrots display their boredom and loneliness in different ways, this could be yours letting you know he is grumpy and upset because he has been sitting by himself doing nothing all day.

 

[Phlox]

I agree with the others, but on a totally practical level, the worst part of a parrot bite (for me anyway) is the pressure more than the pointy-ness of the beak. Those mesh gloves protect against sharp knives, not against pressure. They could give you a real false sense of security. A 'too could still break your finger if you don't react the way they expect from a nipping bite.

 

[Kiwibird]

*SOME* parrots are afraid of gloves, and for birds who are, I agree with others that it can prove traumatizing for the bird. Others do much much better with their training when you wear gloves. Our BFA was vicious when we got him (even more towards me because he hated women). I bought a pair of heavy-duty THICK leather work gloves (in a natural color) while he was learning to step up and accept hands as a non-threat. It made for a much easier time for the both of us, and once he got used to the gloves, he was not fearful of them. It also protected my hands enough I could handle not reacting to each and every bite attempt so he learned (though I did still get nabbed on more than one occasion on my bare flesh). I will say, there was still pain, BUT the cushioning of the leather lessened the direct pressure and prevented breaking skin entirely. We also simultaneously taught stick training (which is better long term IMO than gloves).

I also want to note, gloves are a temporary fix. You need to find the reason for the biting in the first place and work to correct it. For us, it was Kiwi was new to us, had never been handled and was mistreated for years. Gloves were a stepping stone for building a good relationship, but we no longer use them. You didn't say what circumstances this bird is biting under (is he new to you, did he just hit puberty, is there a new xyz in the house he doesn't like ext...), but you need to know WHY so you can find a good way to permanently resolve the issue, not just use a "band aid" of protective hand covering