OMG... I tried but failed!!

[Tropical]

I just tried to put the diapered flightsuit on Coconut for the very first time but failed miserably!

I easily pulled the first wing through the hole of the suit but could not get the second wing through... tiels wings are so looooong it makes it very difficult! He was screeching like crazy as if he was being murdered.

Rascal on the other hand is very used to the flightsuit because he wears it almost every day since I bring him with me everywhere. I know 'Nut would LOVE to go places with me... he is the type of bird who will love the action ... if I could just get this bloody suit on him!

I would much rather have the diapered flightsuit put on him when he's out with me running errands rather than the harness. He is actually "potty trained" though to a certain degree that is... he's such a GOOD bird... whenever I say "go potty" he poops. If I forget to say it then he poops on me of course.

 

[GaleriaGila]

How does the diaper work?

 

[Tropical]

How does the diaper work?

It works great!

I just rinse the suit in water after each time because I don't like to put those makeup pads in the diaper part because it's too bulky.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi Try again but the difficult wing first and see if this helps

 

[Tropical]

Hi Try again but the difficult wing first and see if this helps

Problem is that the first wing is ALWAYS easy to pull through the hole no matter if it's the left or right wing... the second wing I pull through (regardless if it's the right or left wing) I have great difficulty pulling it through the hole.

If 'Nut's wings weren't so long I could easily get it on him. I will reattempt it again...not giving up yet. :01:

This is exactly why I have always shortened Rascal's wings... because he wears the suit almost daily and this makes it MUCH easier to put the flightsuit on him then.... otherwise I feel like I'm going to break his wings trying to get it through the tiny hole.

 

[Tropical]

Wow!! I got the flightsuit on him for the very first time check out below video It felt like I nearly broke his wings struggling to get the suit on him... NEVER AGAIN will I attempt to put it on him until he is at least a year old... I will then shorten his wings a little to make it MUCH easier to put the flightsuit on him.

He will still be able to fly like normal but at least putting the flightsuit on him will be a MUCH more pleasant experience than the horrible ordeal I just went through struggling trying to pull his wings through.

To be honest once Rascal was more calm I no longer had to shorten his wings to put the flightsuit on... but in the beginning it makes thing a LOT easier... so once 'Nut is used to the suit I will no longer need to shorten his wings.

Rascal used to chew the suit NONSTOP... took him many months to get used to it and now he never chews it and sings with joy when I put the suit on hims cuz he knows he's about to embark on an adventure

... I think 'Nut was in too much shock to chew the suit... poor guy... He didn't chew it at all! ... but when he saw his reflection in the phone he sangs to himself for a minute, go figure!

Good bird Coocoo'Nut!

[ame="https://youtu.be/yQMYoP1MjNs"]Coconut's very first time wearing a flightsuit!! - YouTube[/ame]

 

[SilverSage]

The flight feathers bend without a problem. I've never come close to injuring Amy of my cockatiels while putting the suit on fully flighted, just let the feathers bend as the pull through after the wing.


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[Tropical]

The flight feathers bend without a problem. I've never come close to injuring Amy of my cockatiels while putting the suit on fully flighted, just let the feathers bend as the pull through after the wing.


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That's good for you however when a bird is super tensed up and frantic thrashing everywhere holding its wings into its side you are not going to simply be able to gently pull the wings through. I have been putting flightsuit on birds now for several years Rascal wears one on daily basis. Rascal was like this in the beginning... but after a while he was no longer as tensed up.

The owner of the bird shop I go to has told me she knows people who have actually broken the wings of their birds trying to pull the wings through that tiny hole. It is best and much safer to simply shorten the wings which makes it a MILLION times easier to pull the wings through those tiny holes... especially when tiels have such incredibly long wings in comparison to conures etc.

If I had a conure I would not need to shorten the wings as conures have much shorter wings than a tiel. It's a whole different story.... so until 'Nut gets used to the suit like rascal did... I must shorten his wings a little. Not going through what I just did again with 'Nut.

 

[SilverSage]

I have also been putting flight suits on birds for years; most of my birds wear flight suits, and if you will remember, I actually breed cockatiels so suggesting I don't understand the wing length compared to conures is incorrect.

Also, I'm not in any way suggesting that you shouldn't shorten the wings if you want to, just that it isn't necessary as the flight feathers bend easily. My comments were meant to be helpful, but it feels like you took them as offensive instead. I'm sorry if my wording/manner hurt your feelings, it certainly was not my intent.

I would say though, I would be quite concerned if my bird were so tense that I couldn't move the wing; I would suggest waiting to continue work with the actual flight suit until you are able to hold your bird in one hand and manipulate the wing with the other without the bird becoming fearful (annoyed is one thing, terrified is quite another). Once THAT is accomplished, the addition of the suit itself shouldn't cause fear.

Each of us has our own techniques and experiences, I'm simply sharing what had worked for me on over a hundred different birds, my own and those of others, across many species including cockatiels.

But I have to say; BROKEN WINGS??? Those people should NOT be putting ANYTHING on their birds if they can't be careful!


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[Tropical]

I have also been putting flight suits on birds for years; most of my birds wear flight suits, and if you will remember, I actually breed cockatiels so suggesting I don't understand the wing length compared to conures is incorrect.

Also, I'm not in any way suggesting that you shouldn't shorten the wings if you want to, just that it isn't necessary as the flight feathers bend easily. My comments were meant to be helpful, but it feels like you took them as offensive instead. I'm sorry if my wording/manner hurt your feelings, it certainly was not my intent.

I would say though, I would be quite concerned if my bird were so tense that I couldn't move the wing; I would suggest waiting to continue work with the actual flight suit until you are able to hold your bird in one hand and manipulate the wing with the other without the bird becoming fearful (annoyed is one thing, terrified is quite another). Once THAT is accomplished, the addition of the suit itself shouldn't cause fear.

Each of us has our own techniques and experiences, I'm simply sharing what had worked for me on over a hundred different birds, my own and those of others, across many species including cockatiels.

But I have to say; BROKEN WINGS??? Those people should NOT be putting ANYTHING on their birds if they can't be careful!


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Sorry I sent reply in a hurry... didnt mean to sound bla bla Yes it's crazy... the owner of the shop is experienced bird breeder... she is the one who highly suggested I shorten the wings.... however it does make a HGE differene MUCH easier to put suit on then. She has told me now more than once some poeple have actually literally broknn the wwing of their bird putting the flightsuit on

 

[SilverSage]

So I made a video of what I mean, that the crucial thing is to have the bird not be frightened by being held and having their wings manipulated. You will see, she isn't tending her wing because she has been taught to allow this type of handling. The fear typically doesn't come from the suit (that's why most birds calm down as soon as it is on) but from the fact that they are wrapped in a hand and having their wing moved.

Honi has never worn a flight suit before, and you can see that her wings are still able to be moved safely because she isn't afraid, just really annoyed. You can also see how you don't have to maneuver around the flights, they bend and pop through if you just treat the wing as of the flights don't matter.

As a side note, honi is a dominant silver whiteface ino. The dominant silver is what gives her the tan tint.https://vimeo.com/192200249


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[SilverSage]

The video is showing not available but when you click it it should still work


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[Tropical]

So I made a video of what I mean, that the crucial thing is to have the bird not be frightened by being held and having their wings manipulated. You will see, she isn't tending her wing because she has been taught to allow this type of handling. The fear typically doesn't come from the suit (that's why most birds calm down as soon as it is on) but from the fact that they are wrapped in a hand and having their wing moved.

Honi has never worn a flight suit before, and you can see that her wings are still able to be moved safely because she isn't afraid, just really annoyed. You can also see how you don't have to maneuver around the flights, they bend and pop through if you just treat the wing as of the flights don't matter.

As a side note, honi is a dominant silver whiteface ino. The dominant silver is what gives her the tan tint.https://vimeo.com/192200249


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Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to make that video I do really appreciate it

Yes, I see what you are referring to. You are correct. I do need to FIRST make sure 'Nut is OK with me holding him and pulling his wing outwards before I attempt anything with the flightsuit.... so I will start holding him in one hand and spread his wing open with the other hand and hopefully eventually he gets used to it. How long approx do you feel it takes for them to be ok with that?

 

[SilverSage]

It really depends on how you do it. I would start with just holding him in your hand. Don't mess with the wing until he feels safe with you holding him around his body. Start with just a microsecond and then give him a treat, and move on as if nothing happened. Gradually make the times longer, but never make a big deal out of it. The point is to teach him that it isn't a big deal to be restrained like that. I honestly get really frustrated that breeders don't do this right out of the nest. It is SO EASY to teach when they are babies! But that's a different rant


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[Tropical]

It really depends on how you do it. I would start with just holding him in your hand. Don't mess with the wing until he feels safe with you holding him around his body. Start with just a microsecond and then give him a treat, and move on as if nothing happened. Gradually make the times longer, but never make a big deal out of it. The point is to teach him that it isn't a big deal to be restrained like that. I honestly get really frustrated that breeders don't do this right out of the nest. It is SO EASY to teach when they are babies! But that's a different rant


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Yes, I totally know what you mean. I wish breeders would do this when they are babies... it makes all the difference in the world. I must admit you are better at handling birds than I am :26:

I'm good at training dogs etc... but birds require tons of patience etc which I kind of lack. I basically just grabbed Rascal and stuck a fligthsuit on him and eventually he got used to it cuz he had no choice... but I definitely want 'Nut to get used to me holding him and puling his wings outwards before I ever attempt the suit again.

Thanks again for posting that video... you put me in my place! I'll repost vid once 'Nut is used to me pulling his winds outwards.

 

[SilverSage]

lol I'm not trying to "put you in your place" or anything of the sort; I just want to help


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[Tropical]

lol I'm not trying to "put you in your place" or anything of the sort; I just want to help


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Oh ya I know... I was just joking

Thanks for your help though... I will start getting 'Nut used to me spreading them wings. He loves sunflower seeds... he should catch on soon once he realizes his reward. He'll do ANYTHING for a sunflower seed

 

[SilverSage]

And vwala... no more scared birds


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[plumsmum2005]

Well done folks, been an all round interesting read.

Good luck Juliette with 'nut and thanks Silversage.

 

[Tropical]

Well done folks, been an all round interesting read.

Good luck Juliette with 'nut and thanks Silversage.

Thanks, I'm gonna need all the luck I can get! LOL

I just tried to hold Coconut in one hand and he squirms like crazy trying to push himself out of my grip! I held him for about 3 seconds then said "good bird" gave him sunflower seed. Hoping eventually he'll catch on... I'll have to look at youtube videos on bird training to see if I'm doing this correctly.

I can teach a dog to sit, lay and rollover in less than 15 min... but birds require more patience I lack! My bad :19: