Radical - mayhaps controversial - fix to a couple problems - thoughts??

[BIRDIGIRL]

As a few here have already pointed out, clipping Parker's wings wouldn't do anything for your main intent of being able to take Parker out and about. A properly done clip would still allow him to catch a gust of wind and get taken quite far rather quickly. There have been a number of cases on this very forum where a clipped bird has flown off and gotten lost. You'd be surprised how far they can go with clipped wings.

And as you've mentioned, Parker is prone to being startled. Outside, there are any number of things that might startle him. Loud noises, moving cars, or even the glimpse of a hawk or falcon flying overhead. I remember my mother teasing me one day about why I even bothered to harness Maya for a walk we were taking, since she "never" flies. Not 5 minutes later she took off, startled by the sudden flight of a bunch of crows from a nearby tree. And mind you, Maya isn't easily startled nowadays. (My youngest son waving a brightly colored balloon around while sounding off with a battle cry as he ran past her tree stand was the last thing that managed to freak her out indoors.) But the outdoors is just a whole different animal.

Is it possible to clip a bird to the point that even such wind-aided flight would be impossible? Absolutely. But such a clip would be cruel and dangerous. Because those kinds of clips cause the bird to fall like a rock. Unable to slow his fall, the bird could potentially break his keel bone. (I know this isn't an option you'd take, Chris. Just laying everything out, here.)

If you're looking to get Parker some Vitamin D, April's suggestion of the pak-o-bird is a great option. As is Dani's and Uglow's suggestion of a smaller travel cage. (This is what I do as well, btw.)

Remember that, as far as Jolly is concerned when it comes to harness training, I'm in the same boat you are. (Which is weird, as I'd have bet a significant amount of money that he'd have been the easier of my two ekkies to train.) It's frustrating, I know. Jolly would LOVE going outside! But I think we just have to remain patient. Some birds just need longer to accept being harnessed.

I am not that experienced really to give an informative answer on this but I agree with all of the above points that Anansi has said and I have two parrots who cant wear a harness Peter pan because I felt the sizes werent fitting propperly (She is a tiny Quaker...really tiny in size) and Mr Biggles cant wear a harness yet and I dont know if we will ever get to the point of fully fitting it on him (time will tell) but they both have a little travel cage that I can take them outside in and they are safe and get their daily intake of sunshine that way. Mr Biggles is very nervous of things so I cover the back and part of the top and sides so he has a darkened retreat spot to go into...I've only succeeded in bringing Mr Biggles outside for a couple of days now as he had to get used of going into the travel cage first and that took us a while. Dont risk the trip to the garden with a clipped parrot the heart ache isnt worth it when a gust of wind can take them and being clipped once they land outside your fence they are far more vulnerable to predators than flighted parrots are. They have to practice to get good landings and that will come with time and lots of practice . That much I do know after having had a clipped parrot that I allowed to become fully flighted after I got him. It took him ages to learn how to land correctly...my answer to that problem is duvets on the floor and lots of them until he masters his landings.

 

[LeaKP]

I like the Pak-O-Bird. Wish it were an option in Malawi!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Pak O Bird - I'm not sure that this is a Vitamin D solution as the bird is covered in, provides great socialisation for them though.

A flight aviary in the garden would give Vitamin D, chance to fly, fresh air. Although this is not a happy for all birds. My friend has had to stop putting her RB2 in his as he wasn't happy, preferred to stay indoors.

 

[svheartsdesire]

Well of course Ivan is a bird of a different feather...but He's clipped and we go everywhere..there isn't a no parrots allowed sign...Bill

 

[Christinenc2000]

Chris, hate mention this, but...... leg tether. No chain, but on elastic line?

I have actually been thinking of these. BB Will not accept a harness.

 

[Piasa]

Clipping might make harness training a little easier because the wings will be smaller to fit through the harness. In my experience, that is the hardest part about putting one on.

I also use the method Taw told you about, when I put the Aviator on my parrot. Adjust the harness so it's at max size, put over head and line it up, then put the parrot's right wing through the hole.

You do not have to extend wing, but rather guide the harness over the wing tips and then up the back. Get your parrot to slightly lift the wing to make sure the feathers are laying properly. Then move the big loop to the other side for the last wing. Putting the right wing in first will make the slider be in the right place. Then it should be easy to tighten up, even if your parrot is biting or playing with the harness.

It took quite a few trips outside before my birdie knew and liked what the harness meant, but now she knows and actively helps me put it on.

 

[chris-md]

I've basically ruled out clipping at this point. But we've made no progress since below. I can generally manipulate his wings in life. However, Once the harness is over his head he becomes hypersensitive to touch. He's gotten tangled every session since we moved on to trying to get wings through.

I'm not going to lie though, the leg harness does sound interesting. I'm aware of the controversy surrounding them, the weaker legs and all. I want to get my avian vet's input. I have a gut feeling the concern might be a bit overstated. Especially if you take into account that some of the tethers have crazy amount of give like the accordion bungee. I also can't help but wonder if at least part of the concern does lie in the fact that it does look a bit medieval, associating that look with being barbaric. I simply don't know.

And to clarify, Parker doesn't startle out and about easily. I've walked around the block with him on my hand with massive busses hissing by, and he hasn't batted an eye. He more startles when something is waived in front of him.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I've been reading about the Leash for a week. There is another thread I thought I would link here.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/35762-leg-leashes-coming-back.html

Wanted to add the only place you can buy the Leashes that have been advertised are direct from Kings Cages. Amazon will not sell them

 

[Christinenc2000]

There is also a harness called A Feather Tether .

 

[Christinenc2000]

I think BB will be going out in a secure cage. The more I read about these the more I fear them. He hates a harness. Touches his neck he freaks and I will not risk my bond with him over this
Its funny cause he will let me touch his feet , Wings. He is always taking my finger in his beak and playing with it. But break out the harness and all trust is gone. He is so scared of it. I might keep trying later but for now its in the box

 

[plumsmum2005]

I think BB will be going out in a secure cage. The more I read about these the more I fear them. He hates a harness. Touches his neck he freaks and I will not risk my bond with him over this
Its funny cause he will let me touch his feet , Wings. He is always taking my finger in his beak and playing with it. But break out the harness and all trust is gone. He is so scared of it. I might keep trying later but for now its in the box

Here's something to wish for Christine. Doesn't it look good?


Suncatcher Bird Cages : 10 X 12.5 Ft. Flight Aviary large aviaries, outdoor cages,

 

[Christinenc2000]

Yes it does lol. One day maybe . For now I have to settle for a small one.