harness

[Siobhan]

Rocky 'Too has shown real interest in going outdoors. I can trust him to sit on my arm and not try to take off (he either can't fly or doesn't know he can) when I let the dogs out and he cranes his neck and looks really fascinated when I open the door. He's very nervous about a lot of things, but he doesn't act nervous about that. I've been thinking about getting him a harness and trying to get him to wear it so I can take him outdoors, even if we only just go stand right outside the door.

I don't know his age - he's a rescue - but I do know he's had a very troubled history. He's definitely grown up and past the "teenage" stage and for all I know, could be 40 years old. So if he's never worn a harness, there's going to be a learning curve. The good news is, he'll let me do things to him, like examine his wings, and doesn't resist. I've never had a harness for any of my birds. We used to roll the Quakers' cages out on the deck on nice days at our old house, but since we moved, we don't have a deck and the birds' room isn't convenient to an outside door, which is safer for them but means they don't get outside now. Any suggestions on size of harness for a U2 and how to introduce the idea to him?

 

[texsize]

I can't speak for cockatoos, but I have been working with my YNA and the aviator harness.
My main point of advice is this.
In addition to having a YNA I have a RLA (red lored amazon).
My RLA reacts badly to my headphones and the harness. I can handle my RLA very well but I can't come near her when I have my ear buds in. I think she see's these things like they are snakes or something.
My YNA has no reaction to my ear buds (other than taking them out of my ear) he is not scared of them.
in short every bird is different, you will just have to see how your Too reacts and get him use to it slowly.
texsize

 

[wrench13]

Lots of good videos about this on line. It's a slow process for most birds. Salty is to the point where he will willingly put his head thru the head loop and calmly let me take it off. He even let's me drape the harness over his body and wings, but we are stuck ther. And, he's done this harness training over 100 times so far. We still practice every night though so one day he can enjoy the out doors . It will be worth every practice session.

 

[ToMang07]

In *my* experience...

I spent a lot of time practicing putting Willow on her back, manipulating pretty much all her extremities, basically making sure she KNOWS it's OK and that I won't (intentionally) hurt her.

I left the harness on her perch and gave her time to see it/play with it, (supervised, so she wouldn't get tangled/strangle.)

Then came the "wearing it" part. First few times I had a hard time getting it over her beak/crown, and off was way worse. I had purchased the recommended size by breed, not weight, and that was my mistake. I got the next size up, (in reality all but the neck part of the harness IS too big) but it works and is much easier to get on and especially off. Off definitely is the most stressful, and the crown makes it more difficult. I have found that careful speed is my friend, and a second pair of hands makes things even easier, albeit unnecessary.

Procedure:
Widen the harness as much as possible, and pull to one side.
Head through the loop.
One wing through open loop.
Switch loop to other side and second wing through.
Flip her to her back, (allow her to grab thumb on left hand with feet.)
Cinch up the belt tight enough so 1 finger beneath is snug.
Double-check that no feathers are twisted/misplaced, and harness is straight/secure as well.
Loop end around wrist and go outside! (Treats as available!)


Good luck and count your fingers!

 

[texsize]

Yes I agree with the above.
taking it off is harder that putting it on.
I think the mistake I make is waiting too long to start the removal process.
By the time I start to remove he is already getting ... um impatient .
next time I won't try to stretch his outside time so long.
texsize

 

[BillieD]

The only problem that I am having with the harness is that after I put it on her she is then stimulated (sexually) by the harness. When we come in from outside she immediately wants it taken off right away. The most difficult part is taking it off, she hates it. Good luck with your harness training. I wonder though harness versus a wing clip hmmmm.

 

[Tsali]

Tsali doesn't like putting the harness on - but he is getting better each time I put it on him. He doesn't mind it all once its on. At first he would try to chew it, but I would say NO and then treat him when he quit. He knows that "NO" means to stop doing what he is doing, sometimes he complies, other times he doesn't.

He loves to go "bye-bye" with me and it is worth a bit of work to get the harness on him to take him out. He seems to enjoy car rides. We go to any and everywhere that is bird friendly and a few that are questionable. He goes to Home Depot, Lowes, the Bargain Hunt Store, and Harbor Freight to name a few. I also take him on walks - public parks, the beach, etc. He has made the 6 hour road trip to my daughter's house several times and enjoys visiting with the family there.

 

[Mariar]

I opened the harness up as large as it would go...and just put it on sissy. She bit me the first time pretty darn hard...even worse taking it off. its been months and she still hates the harness, but she knows we go outside when its on.taking it off has gotten easier as well. Good luck.

 

[Chrishel]

I was also looking into a harness for Christina (Goffin Too). Does anyone have a recommendation on the type? I see the Aviator Harness and the Flightsuit.