harness training adult cockatiel? Aviator vs leathers4feathers

[Phoenixcockatiel]

Hi
My male cockatiel is very tame and loves hannging out with me, he can be a little scared but is a pretty chill little dude overall, so I'd love to bring him outside with me.

I'm currently trying to transition my birds from an all seed diet to pellets. Zazu is 3 years old and never been motivated to train, which could be due to his diet. So he doesn't know any tricks - is there a way to get him used to the harness safely without motivating him with food? And is it even possible without years of training beforehand?

Also, I have seen many people seem to like the Aviator harness, I personally think the leathers4feathers modell looks easier to put on the bird and more comftable for them. Also because I could get him used to the harness without the leash being in the way and the place where the harness is clipped on looks more convinient. Is it also safe?
Do any of you have both and recommend one model over the other?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[Corkscr.ew]

Harness training is extremely hard if your bird is not food-motivated. You should probably work on changing his diet at least partially before you start training him. If he's willing to work for seed or another treat despite having it in his daily diet, you can start training right away.

It is definitely possible to harness train him without years of training but you need a very strong bond because it requires that you lift his wings and touch his back, which birds are naturally avoidant of. I also recommend target training beforehand because it strengthens your communication.

I would not personally use a leather harness because it is much easier for them to chew through leather than other harness materials, but I have no experience with that specific brand so it might be fine.

 

[Phoenixcockatiel]

Thank you!!
I fear you're right about the food motivation, I'll wait until he's on mostly pellets, but also, he never really liked taking treats from me, even when they were higher reward than his regular seed diet, but I'll see if that changes as well.

Touching him shouldn't be that big of a problem, he's pretty comftable with that already. The harness itself might take some time to adust to tho.

I thought that leather would be sturdier than fabric materials but I guess I thought wrong - I think I will get the aviator and try it out. If it doesn't work for me, I mmight give the other one a shot.

 

[rheashard2]

I love Aviator brand. In 4+ decades have used a total of 4. (All from beak damage.) I keep a spare so actually have purchased 5. It can be hand washed is durable except for beak damage. I didn't want leather as some birds look at it like a chew toy.

 

[wrench13]

Same here - Aviator all the way. ITs not made with fabric, its woven nylon strapping. Very tough. WHat ever system you use, you must be able to handle the bird all over his body, lifting wings etc. I took me about a year of every night training with Salty to get him OK putting it on ( and taking it off). we still practice putting it on and off almost every night as a part of our training sessions.

Perhaps you haven;t found the right training treat yet? Salty LOVES pine nuts and would plow the back 40 for one. Try all sorts of things to find your parrots very favorite. It may not be a seed or nut! I know one parrot that goes bananas for banana!

 

[Inger]

I have a leathers for feathers. The customer service was fantastic-the first one I ordered didn't fit right so they custom made a new one at no charge.

Bumble insisted on non-stop chewing when the harness was on, and I was concerned that she was going to chew through it pretty easily, so we stopped using it and I never got around to getting her an aviator. She's a Parrotlet so hers is tiny-the ones for bigger birds may be thicker.

 

[texsize]

I had 0 success with a harness (Aviator) for my 2 female cockatiels.
They are friendly and were raised from the egg but so afraid of the harness.

I never got close to them when holding the harness.

I should have started training when they were still babies.

 

[rheashard2]

I feel the key to putting on Aviator style harness is avoid placement from top. It triggers negative responses. Slipping over head from the side so harness is looks less threatening works best. My CAG has been wearing harness since she was 4 months old. There are ruffled feather days. She acts like she's never seen it or her carrier. I put harness on every 2 weeks minimum. If she has attitude, it's daily for a week. She doesn't wear it for treats. Her price is a snuggle, and a long scritch.