Worried about this new flightsuit... does it look "too big"???

[Tropical]

I love flightsuits and Rascal has been wearing them for many years so he can safely be outside with me which is awesome (he only wears them when we go outside of course). I have always bought my flightsuits from the same company (Avian Fashions) in size MEDIUM and just received my new suit today.

The new suit seems a little larger (I'm not 100% sure of this though) but it definitely has longer shoulder straps (as you can see in below pic comparing them) so I sent the company an email regarding my concern. Your advice is greatly appreciated... do you think the new suit size is SAFE or too big??

Here is Rascal wearing his old flightsuit:
[ame="https://youtu.be/iHldfVgn-f0"]Geraldine wearing his old flightsuit... - YouTube[/ame]

Here are 3 videos of him wearing the new flightsuit I just got in the mail today:

[ame="https://youtu.be/Rnv38fiVzag"]Geraldine wearing his new flightsuit - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://youtu.be/YIOoatKDaMI"]Geraldine modeling his new flightsuit... - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://youtu.be/njaZm41zATM"]Is this flightsuit too large on him??? - YouTube[/ame]

I’m sure the new flightsuit is more comfortable for him with the longer shoulder straps (which I like) and it doesn't seem like he can get out of the suit even when the strap has slipped off his shoulder or can he??? That’s what I’m worried about!!…

PS: Rascal's nickname is "Geraldine"... don't ask!! LOL

PSS: He's usually not this irritated with the suit... just that I was really messing around with the suit trying to see if he can get out of it or not so he was fed up...

 

[Inger]

I think the website says something about tying the shoulder straps together if they are too big. And I bet you'll hear from them in short order - I emailed them about Bumble's flight suit and they emailed back in less than an hour on a Sunday.

Now - how do you get your birds to happily wear them? I can get. Bumble's on, but she spins her head around backwards and chews on the Velcro the whole time she's wearing it.


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[Tropical]

I think the website says something about tying the shoulder straps together if they are too big. And I bet you'll hear from them in short order - I emailed them about Bumble's flight suit and they emailed back in less than an hour on a Sunday.

Now - how do you get your birds to happily wear them? I can get. Bumble's on, but she spins her head around backwards and chews on the Velcro the whole time she's wearing it.

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If I tie the shoulder straps together then it will be far too tight so that is not going to work. The suit was perfect before they changed the "design". The prior 2 suits I bought from them did not have this problem... if this suit is indeed not safe in its current state and in danger of my tiel being able to escape out of it then I have to get a refund for this thing.

... I will wait and see what they say... maybe the suit is OK even though the straps are definitely longer than on the previous suits. The concern I have is I do not know whether my tiel can escape out of it because of the longer straps??? If so, that would be a serious tragedy.

...Rascal took an entire year to be OK with wearing the suit (I almost gave up thank goodness I didn't.. he would chew on it NONSTOP... literally nonstop) and 'Nut was immediately fine wearing it. Rascal rarely ever chews on the suit anymore... he was chewing on it in the video because I was messing around with it so much while I was trying to figure out if the longer straps are OK or not (this got him irritated).

'Nut likes the suit... if I place it on the table he runs up to it and starts playing with it but then again.... 'Nut is a bit of a nutcase haha

 

[wrench13]

Inger distract him with tiny bits of his favorite treat, closely spaced, then longer and longer intervals.

That orange suit just looks too big on Rascal, and once he thinks he might get it off, he will not stop until he does, if he is anything like Salty. I wonder how such a big size difference could have gone out.

 

[Tropical]

Inger distract him with tiny bits of his favorite treat, closely spaced, then longer and longer intervals.

That orange suit just looks too big on Rascal, and once he thinks he might get it off, he will not stop until he does, if he is anything like Salty. I wonder how such a big size difference could have gone out.

Crap, well this is not good

I recall a couple yrs ago the lady from that company was REALLY nice. She was very helpful... so hopefully I can get this resolved. I'm frustrated because I do not know whether he can indeed get out of this suit on his own or not...

Both suits are a number 5 (Medium) it has this printed on the actual suit so I guess they must have changed their "design" or something...

 

[Inger]

I think the website says something about tying the shoulder straps together if they are too big. And I bet you'll hear from them in short order - I emailed them about Bumble's flight suit and they emailed back in less than an hour on a Sunday.

Now - how do you get your birds to happily wear them? I can get. Bumble's on, but she spins her head around backwards and chews on the Velcro the whole time she's wearing it.

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If I tie the shoulder straps together then it will be far too tight so that is not going to work. The suit was perfect before they changed the "design". The prior 2 suits I bought from them did not have this problem... if this suit is indeed not safe in its current state and in danger of my tiel being able to escape out of it then I have to get a refund for this thing.

... I will wait and see what they say... maybe the suit is OK even though the straps are definitely longer than on the previous suits. The concern I have is I do not know whether my tiel can escape out of it because of the longer straps??? If so, that would be a serious tragedy.

...Rascal took an entire year to be OK with wearing the suit (I almost gave up thank goodness I didn't.. he would chew on it NONSTOP... literally nonstop) and 'Nut was immediately fine wearing it. Rascal rarely ever chews on the suit anymore... he was chewing on it in the video because I was messing around with it so much while I was trying to figure out if the longer straps are OK or not (this got him irritated).

'Nut likes the suit... if I place it on the table he runs up to it and starts playing with it but then again.... 'Nut is a bit of a nutcase haha

I'm not explaining it right. I looked on the website and didn't find it, and then I remembered it was on the instructions that came with the suit, so you might want to check that. It made sense when I read it that you could sort of adjust the straps that way.

Thanks for the info on how long it took. I just decided that since Bumble was a baby, I could slap the flight suit on and she'd be happy. Ahhh optimism and ignorance LOL. I'll be a little more patient and hope she doesn't chew it apart in the meantime!


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[LordTriggs]

I think the website says something about tying the shoulder straps together if they are too big. And I bet you'll hear from them in short order - I emailed them about Bumble's flight suit and they emailed back in less than an hour on a Sunday.

Now - how do you get your birds to happily wear them? I can get. Bumble's on, but she spins her head around backwards and chews on the Velcro the whole time she's wearing it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I tie the shoulder straps together then it will be far too tight so that is not going to work. The suit was perfect before they changed the "design". The prior 2 suits I bought from them did not have this problem... if this suit is indeed not safe in its current state and in danger of my tiel being able to escape out of it then I have to get a refund for this thing.

... I will wait and see what they say... maybe the suit is OK even though the straps are definitely longer than on the previous suits. The concern I have is I do not know whether my tiel can escape out of it because of the longer straps??? If so, that would be a serious tragedy.

...Rascal took an entire year to be OK with wearing the suit (I almost gave up thank goodness I didn't.. he would chew on it NONSTOP... literally nonstop) and 'Nut was immediately fine wearing it. Rascal rarely ever chews on the suit anymore... he was chewing on it in the video because I was messing around with it so much while I was trying to figure out if the longer straps are OK or not (this got him irritated).

'Nut likes the suit... if I place it on the table he runs up to it and starts playing with it but then again.... 'Nut is a bit of a nutcase haha

I'm not explaining it right. I looked on the website and didn't find it, and then I remembered it was on the instructions that came with the suit, so you might want to check that. It made sense when I read it that you could sort of adjust the straps that way.

Thanks for the info on how long it took. I just decided that since Bumble was a baby, I could slap the flight suit on and she'd be happy. Ahhh optimism and ignorance LOL. I'll be a little more patient and hope she doesn't chew it apart in the meantime!


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Oh Inger how lucky your are! Can't get flightsuits out here so I tried the aviator harness for Rio. I think trying it on was among the most upsetting and panicking days of my life! The thing completely traumatized him causing his one and only crash and he got completely tangled in the straps. He had a permanent fear of strings and similar looking objects. I suspect more damage was done than I initially saw and it at least factored into his death.

One thing it did say with the harness instructions is you should take them outside as soon as it is on so they associate outside with putting it on. I'm sure this works the same with flight suits although from meeting a load of parrots last month some will always chew, met a macaw who was testing his dad's patience which was hilarious! Looked exactly like a 2 year old getting scolded by their parents

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

GERALDINE????



I agree...it looks too big to me Juliet..I don't think I'd be comfy with that one.





Jim

 

[Tropical]

I think the website says something about tying the shoulder straps together if they are too big. And I bet you'll hear from them in short order - I emailed them about Bumble's flight suit and they emailed back in less than an hour on a Sunday.

Now - how do you get your birds to happily wear them? I can get. Bumble's on, but she spins her head around backwards and chews on the Velcro the whole time she's wearing it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I tie the shoulder straps together then it will be far too tight so that is not going to work. The suit was perfect before they changed the "design". The prior 2 suits I bought from them did not have this problem... if this suit is indeed not safe in its current state and in danger of my tiel being able to escape out of it then I have to get a refund for this thing.

... I will wait and see what they say... maybe the suit is OK even though the straps are definitely longer than on the previous suits. The concern I have is I do not know whether my tiel can escape out of it because of the longer straps??? If so, that would be a serious tragedy.

...Rascal took an entire year to be OK with wearing the suit (I almost gave up thank goodness I didn't.. he would chew on it NONSTOP... literally nonstop) and 'Nut was immediately fine wearing it. Rascal rarely ever chews on the suit anymore... he was chewing on it in the video because I was messing around with it so much while I was trying to figure out if the longer straps are OK or not (this got him irritated).

'Nut likes the suit... if I place it on the table he runs up to it and starts playing with it but then again.... 'Nut is a bit of a nutcase haha

I'm not explaining it right. I looked on the website and didn't find it, and then I remembered it was on the instructions that came with the suit, so you might want to check that. It made sense when I read it that you could sort of adjust the straps that way.

Thanks for the info on how long it took. I just decided that since Bumble was a baby, I could slap the flight suit on and she'd be happy. Ahhh optimism and ignorance LOL. I'll be a little more patient and hope she doesn't chew it apart in the meantime!


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I know exactly what you mean but I don't want things tied around the straps etc. That is not practical and problematic. They sized the suit incorrectly... the prior 2 suits I bought were correctly sized for an average tiel and fit both Rascal and 'Nut perfectly.

Cockatiels need the MEDIUM size suit but there is a note in there that says they have a "petite" MEDIUM for petite tiels from Australia and then the regular one for average tiels. I don't have petite tiels from Austalia and have always bought the normal sizing. They changed the design of the suit recently.

The lady at that co who I spoke with a few years ago was VERY nice so I'm sure they will fix this if the suit is indeed not safe for my tiel and at risk of him accidentally getting out of it (they haven't replied my my email yet...). I'm taking him to the bird place today or tomorrow where the lady I bought him from takes care of his nails... I'll have her see him in person wearing that suit to get her opinion. I'm curious what she's going to think...

 

[Tropical]

GERALDINE????

I agree...it looks too big to me Juliet..I don't think I'd be comfy with that one.

Jim

LOL... my secret is out. I'm embarrassed to admit Rascal's name is really Geraldine!!! When I first bought him I named him Rascal but a friend immediately named him Geraldine as an inside joke (because my ex's name was Jerry) and ever since then EVERYONE started calling him Geraldine. It's such ridiculous name for a bird and silly especially since Rascal is a boy!! I always call him Geraldine because after a while the name just stuck and it felt weird calling him anything else... poor bird

I guess you could say his name is Rascal but his nickname is Geraldine haha

 

[Tropical]

Well this is sad... I just got home from the bird shop and they told me they don't know much about flightsuits!

I'm still waiting for the company to reply to my email regarding my concern about the sizing change....

 

[Tropical]

The company I bought my flightsuit from responded... they agreed the suit is a tad too big on him since the straps are longer on the NEW suit than the OLD suit. They indeed changed the design slightly... the new design is too big on my tiel.

They are helping me resolve. They are nice and very helpful. I'm having the straps adjusted on the new suit to be the length it is on the old suit.

If I knew 100% that he cannot escape out of the new suit I would have preferred the looser/longer straps as it seems more comfortable for him (less pressure on his shoulders)... but it's too risky!

 

[Tropical]

Here is Coconut wearing the new flightsuit... too big on him too? Coconut is SLIGHTLY bigger than Rascal... just slightly.... he rarely bites the suit when I have him outdoors with me... he sure was biting the heck out of that shoulder strap in this video though

[ame="https://youtu.be/dE8ELiwUb88"]Coconut wearing the new flightsuit... suit too big or OK?? - YouTube[/ame]

 

[wrench13]

is the poop hole in the right position? I think that is the starting point for all measurements that they might need to take. Honestly I do not like either of the designs that are available now. I would think that the use of some space age magnets could be used to make a new design that is far, far easier to put on then the current designs. I'm glad they tried to fix your problem, but it still looks bigger overall, not just the straps.

 

[Tropical]

is the poop hole in the right position? I think that is the starting point for all measurements that they might need to take. Honestly I do not like either of the designs that are available now. I would think that the use of some space age magnets could be used to make a new design that is far, far easier to put on then the current designs. I'm glad they tried to fix your problem, but it still looks bigger overall, not just the straps.

I agree... I also find the designs not to be the best but I don't know of how I could make it better. What I REALLY disliked about the suit was the detachable velcro leash that you can buy as an accessory because it was very heavy and added a lot of bulk to the suit... the leash with the large heavy metal clip almost weighed more than the bird! For larger birds it's no problem but tiels are too tiny for that. That is why I had to sew in my own super lightweight leash and not use the leash you can buy for the suit.

Thankfully putting the suit on Rascal is actually super easy... putting the suit on 'Nut however is difficult and unpleasant. This was also the case with Rascal for the longest time but now he's very used to it thank goodness so he just sits there and lets me put it on easily.... unlike 'Nut! 'Nut loves playing with the suit as if it were a toy and once the suit is on him he's fine but the part of me actively putting it on him he hates.

The suit in the last video I just posted of Coconut wearing the suit is the exact same suit Rascal had on earlier... meaning they haven't changed the suit yet... so that's why it still looks too big...

 

[LordTriggs]

my ultimate question is how the hell do you get them to allow the flightsuits!? I'd love to take a bird out and about to meet at shows and what-not or to come for a ride in the car but I have no idea how to get them to accept the harness/suits. Of course I have shaky hands so it makes things trickier for me but I have no clue how people do it

 

[Kentuckienne]

GERALDINE????

Jim

The devil made me buy this dress!

 

[Tropical]

my ultimate question is how the hell do you get them to allow the flightsuits!? I'd love to take a bird out and about to meet at shows and what-not or to come for a ride in the car but I have no idea how to get them to accept the harness/suits. Of course I have shaky hands so it makes things trickier for me but I have no clue how people do it

You sound EXACTLY like I did a few years ago when I got my first harness ever for a bird (for Rascal) LOL

I always use the diapered flightsuit (not the harness) because I usually take him with me to lots of places and not having to worry about getting poop everywhere is a life savor. What helped me to get the suit on Rascal in the beginning was shortening his flight feathers because tiels have such loooooong wings and pulling his shortened wings through the holes of the suit was MUCH easier.... much much easier!

Rascal used to be a serious NIGHTMARE getting the suit on him and once it was finally on him and I almost gave up after many months of trying... but now he's a pro and accepts the suit calmly

'Nut has a long way to go but he's a million times better than Rascal ever was once the suit is on 'Nut and 'Nut is new to wearing them. When he's outside with me he rarely ever bites the suit... so ignore the biting he was doing in the video

 

[LordTriggs]

I would love a flightsuit but they just aren't sold here. People don't understand the liners and stuff so they think the bird just sits in it s own mess all day. They seem to think all Americans are okay with being cruel to their animals

 

[Tropical]

I would love a flightsuit but they just aren't sold here. People don't understand the liners and stuff so they think the bird just sits in it s own mess all day. They seem to think all Americans are okay with being cruel to their animals

Harnesses are not cruel to birds. I'm european and my bird wears a harness so I can safely bring him outside on walks and adventures with me (he loves it) rather than being cooped up rotting inside the house all day. I think it's more sad vice versa to have a bird clipped never able to leave the house but I ain't gonna get into this! LOL Plus, even clipped birds should ALWAYS have a harness on if being taken outside. Dogs wear a collar n' leash (or harness) outside for safety and birds wear a harness. Quite simple logic

I'm european (hungarian) and cannot wait to move back when I can finally afford to permanently leave the US! I thought I wanted to move back to CA but the taxes there are a KILLER. I have 4 citizenships: american, hungarian, swedish and canadian so I have 4 passports

99% of my family resides in sweden/norway... many people in the EU have these harnesses for their birds (no difference from in the US!). I buy the suits online... even amazon sells them as do tons of website online here is just one of them http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/bird-harness ... the company I just bought my diapered flithsuit from also sells internationally: http://www.flightquarters.com/bird-diapers/international-customers.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Parrot-Bird-Flight-Suit-Kit-with-Liners-amp-Lanyard-leash-/320872373503