Leg Band: To Keep or Not to Keep

[Puck]

So Lucille's veterinary checkup is on Tuesday morning (I am SO thrilled that the vet office I have taken my dogs to for ten years and my mother took our dogs to my entire childhood has now gotten an AVIAN VET and I can finally take my birds to this group of people I trust so much after all these years!!!) and I am trying to decide whether or not I should have her leg band removed. I was unable to take Sammy with me when I moved to Honduras for a year partly because it's just so complicated but mainly because you are required by law to have an enclosed legband on a bird for international travel to Honduras and he didn't have one. However, I seriously doubt I will ever be moving to Honduras again and I don't want her to injure herself getting it caught on something... Of course, if she ever escaped I wouldn't want her to be without some sort of identification, either. I am just not certain whether or not I should take the risk to leave it on or remove it for her safety. What do you guys think?

 

[GaleriaGila]

My first avian vet recommended removal, so I took that suggestion. I think bands are risky. If I were to be concerned about identification, I think I'd get a computer chip.

 

[Teknogeddon]

Since we're on the topic and I was wondering the same thing, how stressful is it for a chip? Are they like dogs/cats where you have to pay X amount monthly to keep it registered or is it a one time deal. I've heard conflicting on that in dogs as it is. Is it something you do when the bird is still adjusting or after it trusts you? First vet visit?

 

[Puck]

Since we're on the topic and I was wondering the same thing, how stressful is it for a chip? Are they like dogs/cats where you have to pay X amount monthly to keep it registered or is it a one time deal. I've heard conflicting on that in dogs as it is. Is it something you do when the bird is still adjusting or after it trusts you? First vet visit?

My new RB2 girl doesn't have a chip right now, but I had a chip put in a bird I had in the past. It is easy as pie (it took something like two minutes to do and the bird didn't even notice they put it in!) and you don't have to pay a monthly fee. Or you didn't with the one I got for my Quaker. I'm not sure when the best time to get it is--the one I got was put in well after the bird and I had bonded.

 

[Teknogeddon]

I imagine it'd be easiest once the bird can be handled and trusts you to care for it. Good to know. Thanks.
Whats the deal with leg bands? I keep hearing people say they're dangerous...

 

[Puck]

I imagine it'd be easiest once the bird can be handled and trusts you to care for it. Good to know. Thanks.
Whats the deal with leg bands? I keep hearing people say they're dangerous...

They can get caught on things and, well, once it's caught you can imagine the reaction the bird has. They can also become too tight and cause damage in the leg. There are several things that can happen that would have zero chance of happening if there was no leg band, which is why a lot of people suggest you remove them. They say closed ones are safer than open ones, though, because the birds can pull those apart and end up pressing them tighter so they can cut into the leg.

https://hilarysterndvm.com/2013/04/14/leg-bands-can-be-dangerous-to-pet-birds/

 

[Teknogeddon]

Good to know. Mine isn't very pretty so I may have it removed afterall

 

[Yorkiemum]

Nicolas has no band. His was the result of 2 pet Eclectus having chicks. The owners just didn't think about bands.
So, I think I'm fine with that. But I have also wondered about the chip.

 

[SailBoat]

The size of the Parrot is very important! Mid to Large Parrots, I strongly recommend Micro Chipping that group of Parrot. Micro Chipping is your strong legal protection /clear statement that its your Parrot! The sales pitch is a method of getting them back should they get away from you. But the big thing is the legal side of 'Property Ownership.'

The Micro Chip is considered to large for small birds and Parrots. So, each AV has a comfort zone with the range between small and mid sized Parrots. Go with your AV's recommendation.

When to Micro Chip? Early in a Vet Visit. There is a need /want for the 'Stress Level' of the Parrot to be as low as possible. No one wants the Parrot to move when the needle is being removed!

Leg Bands are /can be dangerous and for Mid - Large Parrots that are Micro Chipped, it is time to remove the band. Prior to Micro Chipping, that band is one of your only legal proof's of ownership!

 

[happy410]

My vet removed my Amazons band. She had it for 14 yrs before she came to live with me. My vet recommended removal, so that's what I did.
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