Favorite harness and why?

[BeatriceC]

Most harnesses can't be returned, and my local bird store doesn't carry them, so I'm nervous about purchasing one online.

I actually need two. I need one for Leo and one for Oscar.

Leo can't fly yet. I've been letting his wings grow out, but his muscles just don't seem like they're ready for full flight. He's trying, but it doesn't work for him yet. Still, I'd like to be more confident with him when we go outside. He weighs 145g.

Oscar can get some pretty good air time even with clipped wings. He came to me that way, and I'm undecided on if/how long I'll keep them clipped. I think he's ready to go on walks with us, so a harness is a must. He weighs about 325g.

So what harnesses do you guys like, and why?

 

[jju1]

I watched some YouTube video reviews of bird harnesses, among other things. That might be a good place to search as well.

 

[texsize]

I bought a "flight suit" But it is too small for both of my Amazons.
I have used the flight harness just a couple of times on my YNA.

The 2 key things I have to say about them.

#1 whatever type you choose you have to be able and comfortable manipulating there wings. If you can't lift up your birds wing (away from its body) I don't think you can use either type.

#2 If your bird has a strong dislike for strings or cords (like ear buds) a flight harness wont work. I can't get close to my RLA with my ear buds without it going into attack mode. Same thing happens when I get close to her with the flight harness.

Hope this helps

 

[wrench13]

Wade, if the flight suit is too small for your YNA, maybe you want to swap out for a Aviator style thats too big for Salty?

Beatrice, , everything Texsize said is spot on. I have been working with my little amazon for almost a year, and we are not there yet. Plus, the small and xs and xxs small ones are made with a nylon strap thats pretty wide and heavy duty, considering how small the harness and the intended birds actually are. I would think for a senigal and cockatiel a much much narrower and lighter strap could be used. For a macaw, the aviator style looks like its perfect. Honestly, I am thinking of making one myself from scratch using snaps or velcro to get the thing onto Salty. He hates having his wings messed with. If any of your guys are wing shy, harnesses are going to be difficult.

 

[BeatriceC]

Both Oscar and Leo let me manipulate their wings as much as I want without batting a proverbial eye. On that count, I'm not worried. Goofy and Charlotte would be a different story, but I have no intention of trying to get either one of them into a harness anytime soon!

On the strings, I'm not sure about Oscar, but Leo is part cat and LOVES to get himself all tied into knots, so that should only be a problem in trying to keep him from playing with it.

I'm hoping that if I get harnesses in the next week or two I can have them ready to wear by summer, so my expectations aren't too terrible, I don't think.

 

[wrench13]

Yeah if they are wing friendly thats plenty of time. I would call the aviator folks up, give them your birds weight and species and they can recommend a size that would be best. I've seen cockies in an aviator, so i know they do make ones that fit.

 

[BeatriceC]

I got the aviator harnesses. They arrived today. For now they're just sitting in eyesight of the birds they're intended for. I will start working with them tomorrow to get them on the birds eventually.

 

[Tsali]

The Avaitor harness is the only one I will use with Tsali. The only issue we have is slipping the loop over his head. Unfortunately, I couldn't completely practice what I preach and get him fully comfortable with the over the head part before we made a road trip to visit family so we had a minor conflict which left me bloody and him pissed. After another year of hard work, lots of treats and major patience, we are almost there. But there are still times when the need for safety outweighs Tsali's personal opinion.

 

[Psittaciformes]

I only have experience with the aviator harness, but I really like that one. From what I've read, it seems to be the safest bet.

 

[BeatriceC]

We've made some progress! I got the harness kinda sorta on Leo. It's not as straight as it should be, and he was okay with it going over his head and wings, but he didn't like the tightening down process. I still can't get near Oscar's face with even my hands, so he's farther behind on this project. I think they'll both get there fairly soon. MrC is even looking to get a harness for Goofy, and we're going to call the manufacturer and ask if it would be safe for Charlotte and start on them as well. Those two will take a lot longer though. Months, at least.

 

[EllenD]

Looks like my senegal, Kane. He's only 6 months old and I have absolutely no problem touching him anywhere or moving his wings. I got him an Aviator Harness as that's what I use for my Quaker and my green cheek. But I'm having a problem with Kane once the harness is on him. No problem getting it on him at all, but once it's on him he sits there and stares at me without moving for a minute, and then he starts chewing non-stop on the straps around his neck and belly. Like he won't stop and has already frayed them. I tried putting it on him yesterday and taking him outside immediately because it's the first day that has been warm enough, and I was thinking that he would for sure be distracted by everything going on outside...Wrong! He just can't stop chewing on it. I'm talking to him going "Kane, look at the other birdies! Do you see the other birdies? Look Kane, a car! Look Kane, we can run and you can fly", like a moron with my neighbors watching, as I run with Kane on my hand, chewing away, and finally falling off as I'm running. He glided/flew gracefully to the ground, and then before I even picked him up again he was standing in my yard, chewing away...

Epic Fail.

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