Leg rings

[Labbie]

Hi can anyone suggest the best type of leg rings to use on my adult lovebirds?
I have used plastic split rings but they have all pulled them off.
my other options are clip rings, flat coils, spiral coils, stretch bands or aluminium bands. I need something easy to put on and remove if necessary but something the birds cant remove easily.

Thanks

 

[lomeraniel]

The only option are the metallic closed rings that you put on the babies. Anything else will lead to disaster.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm scared of leg rings. Are you using them for tethering? Or identification? I have only heard of bands put on babies...
I had the Rickeybird's removed, on veterinary advice. Seems it would be so easy to break a foot, or worse...
Maybe I'm naive or wimpy, though?

 

[Flboy]

Leg rings can be very dangerous!

 

[lomeraniel]

I've heard scary stories about (closed) leg bands. Usually it's okay but there's always a risk.

 

[Kiwibird]

There is no reason to place a leg band on an adult bird. In the past, open bands were placed on fully grown wild imports, but often owners had them removed. Closed bands put on babies are also routinely removed. Leg bands pose a hazard getting tangled in toys and can lead to broken bones or worse.

If you are concerned about escape, be sure you have proper safety measures in place (including other household members being sure to always check where the bird is before opening doors or windows). You can also work with your bird on recall (returning on command) and harness training for outdoor time (they do make harnesses small enough for lovebirds, I believe).

 

[ToMang07]

I leave the closed one on Willow for emergency Identification only, God forbid she ever escapes or gets stolen, It's a way to Identify her. I keep an eye on it. She plays with it a lot. I wonder if I took it off if she'd bike her leg off by mistake forgetting it's not there, lol

 

[Labbie]

Thanks for all the advice.
I only wanted them for ID
but I don't think I will bother.
It sounds to risky
Thanks

 

[BlinkingLizard]

This is all very interesting. My livebird came with a closed metal band. I asked the vet I was using at the time about removing it and she advised against. I think both Monkey and I have forgotten all about it in the years since!

-Lizard

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

The Mrs. has looked into getting computer chips for the bird. As I understand it, mid-size to large parrots tolerate them well. Thusfar she hasn't done it.

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

I should add that she removed the parrot's closed metal band when she got him, on vet's advice.

 

[GaleriaGila]