Harness/Flight Vest

[mdg1109]

OK so I am obviously new at parenting a bird. I have seen some people post about harnesses/ flight vests. I keep Charlie wings trimmed, he can glide down but cannot lift up.

I am interested in trying a vest for him because I do like to take him outside and even thought I know he can't "fly" away I am still worried something might happen. My question is what are the pros/cons of a harness/flight vest.

I am just looking for opinions, not judgement.

Thank you!

[The Pinkertons]

Even with clipped flight's your bird can still be able to fly...My Bentley, caught a current of wind and flew over our 2 story house into the street, my heart sunk to my gut in panic, I ran around the block he was in the middle of the street, a women was walking out to swoop him up, as I was hysterically calling for my bird, she say's oh is this your bird? yes! yes! it is!. My heart was pounding so hard, I'm shaking , thoughts swirling in my head about all the worst case scenarios'. So clipped does not equate to bird cant fly. I used to let them follow me around in the garden thinking that they cant fly away, lesson learned. After that incident I did some research about the different harnesses. BUT and I say a big BUT! is you have to be consistent in getting your bird used to it. Charlie is still a baby and has less fear of things, if you want to harness train, now is a good time while he is still young. if you haven't done so yet take a look here = [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[spiritbird]

Sorry I have no experience on this topic but I did find a nice web page for you to read. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Buy a second hand one, there must be thousands that have been bought and never used. That way you won't have wasted so much money if you can't get him to wear it. Like Casper :)

[lolsavannahh]

I don't think there's a single con to them. Clipped birds can and DO still escape with a gust of wind, and should NEVER go outside unharnessed without very very careful training from an expert!

You MUST MUST keep consistent with training, and since 1) he's a cockatoo and 2) hes very young, you will be finished with training in no time. Do not rush into things because even if you can get it on first try, he will not like it and it will be a bad experience for future use. You must train him to wear it. I use the aviator bird harness ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]) with Nash, and 3 months in, we are still in the training stage, I have never gotten it on him. It can take a while, but he is also older.. and a lovebird LOL.

You need to train every day or every other day, even if they are fully used to it. It can be great for talks or just outdoor flight training(:

[mdg1109]

Even with clipped flight's your bird can still be able to fly...My Bentley, caught a current of wind and flew over our 2 story house into the street, my heart sunk to my gut in panic, I ran around the block he was in the middle of the street, a women was walking out to swoop him up, as I was hysterically calling for my bird, she say's oh is this your bird? yes! yes! it is!. My heart was pounding so hard, I'm shaking , thoughts swirling in my head about all the worst case scenarios'. So clipped does not equate to bird cant fly. I used to let them follow me around in the garden thinking that they cant fly away, leThanksson learned. After that incident I did some research about the different harnesses. BUT and I say a big BUT! is you have to be consistent in getting your bird used to it. Charlie is still a baby and has less fear of things, if you want to harness train, now is a good time while he is still young. if you haven't done so yet take a look here = [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

Thank you Suzanne for all the awesome information. I am so glad that you told me about his still being able to fly even with his wings being trimmed. He sits outside on my hand when the weather has been nice, but oh my, if he got down I would probably have a heart attack! That is good to know about the consistency, definitely something to remember when I start training him. I would like to be able to take him places with us and do not want to have to worry, but I worry about everything so probably not going to happen.

[The Pinkertons]

What do you think about this, I'm contemplating these


[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

You can find Bird Leashes at [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks])

[Mare]

Suzanne..personally, I don't like that harness..just from watching the video, I can tell these birds aren't happy campers :(. We have a harness that I got for Sassy and, NO FREAKIN' WAY is she going to let you put this thing on her without real harm to yourself or her. Maybe if she was young she would have been more receptive :). One more con is what if they got tangled in a tree :(. You better have a tall ladder!

I know that people have bird carriers for outdoor trips, buggies/backpacks/ hand held carriers. I would suggest, Michelle, if you just want to get your bird outside or travel to the park or store with him, one of these options might work

[The Pinkertons]

Suzanne..personally, I don't like that harness..just from watching the video, I can tell these birds aren't happy campers :(. We have a harness that I got for Sassy and, NO FREAKIN' WAY is she going to let you put this thing on her without real harm to yourself or her. Maybe if she was young she would have been more receptive :). One more con is what if they got tangled in a tree :(. You better have a tall ladder!

I know that people have bird carriers for outdoor trips, buggies/backpacks/ hand held carriers. I would suggest, Michelle, if you just want to get your bird outside or travel to the park or store with him, one of these options might workI agree Mare, my birds have the aviator harness and they hate it. They get so stressed . That's why I splurged on their large outdoor aviary, they love it !, their safe and were all happy campers. I don't leave them in their if I'm not home and they come in at the end of the day. It's hot today they were holding their wings out and panting ,even with the shade. I brought them back in the house. grinding beaks and napping.

[Mare]

Suzanne, think about a mister hose-y thingy to attach to the upper side of the outdoor cage :)

It's hot here today, too. Amigo didn't necessarily want in the house but he did want some "One on One" attention..if you know what I mean..I shook him off and asked if he was ready for a shower with the spray hose. Ohh..yeah... :). This did the trick! He's been out there for a few happy, preening hours and all is well!

[The Pinkertons]

Suzanne, think about a mister hose-y thingy to attach to the upper side of the outdoor cage :)

It's hot here today, too. Amigo didn't necessarily want in the house but he did want some "One on One" attention..if you know what I mean..I shook him off and asked if he was ready for a shower with the spray hose. Ohh..yeah... :). This did the trick! He's been out there for a few happy, preening hours and all is well!I'm going to Home Shhmepo (Depot) later I'll look for it! thanks :highfive:

[mdg1109]

Thank you for all the information and tips. I like the idea of the leash. The problem with Charlie (as with most cockatoos) is they want to be with their flock. I have a travel carrier for him and he likes it but I do not think he would stay in it if the boys and I are outside playing and he is just watching. I have been known to be wrong so the only way to find out is to try.

The weather is going to be beautiful this afternoon, will be a good day to experiment.

I do like the idea of the leash in the video you posted Suzanne, might be worth trying.

[The Pinkertons]

It is complicated "for sure" we have chosen to share life with our Avian Companions, seeking to provide the best we can. I have struggled with all the possibilities over the years for the wellbeing and enrichment of keeping captive birds. Safety is number one priority, I agree with you about taking Charlie out in a carrier he may not like it but for the time being it's better than nothing, they do need at least 15min natural sunlight to thrive, not direct sun. filtered sun light. few times a week. I have wanted a walk-in Aviary for years, I have a chair inside its relaxing, I sit . "their safe" they get to watch the coming and goings , My only regret now ! I wish I would have done it sooner. :th_wink:
39963997

[mdg1109]

Oh wow Suzanne, I am in awe that is fabulous! I am thinking of maybe purchasing a second cage to put outdoors. Our backyard gets morning sunlight and in the afternoon it is mostly shade. We also have a garage so if the weather is going to be bad I can put the cage in their and also will be able to store it in there for the winter.

Your birds are lucky they have you and their outdoor aviary.

[The Pinkertons]

Oh wow Suzanne, I am in awe that is fabulous! I am thinking of maybe purchasing a second cage to put outdoors. Our backyard gets morning sunlight and in the afternoon it is mostly shade. We also have a garage so if the weather is going to be bad I can put the cage in their and also will be able to store it in there for the winter.

Your birds are lucky they have you and their outdoor aviary. We just got the Aviary this February, it came in panels. I love it. I decided to go this route instead of building form scratch.

[mdg1109]

I love it! My husband loves to build stuff so maybe on his "honey do" list will be to build Charlie an outdoor aviary. Now I know what to show him to get an idea of what it should look like :th_smile:

[PlaxMacaws]

there must be thousands that have been bought and never used.In 2006 or so I bought a blue Aviator harness for Zaf. He has been fully secured in it only one time since then. Once we finally got to the point at which he would allow me to put it on him, I took him outside for a walk. He was extremely upset throughout the experience, and once it was removed he remained flustered for the remainder of the day. He was so upset, in fact, that I opted to forgo any further use of a harness on him. I could have worked to further desensitize him to the thing. But I could see that it was pure torture for my sweet blue friend. A harness is simply not an accessory for Zaf.

[bill-e]

But how do you keep the snow out?

[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[The Pinkertons]

Sounds like a great summer project



I love it! My husband loves to build stuff so maybe on his "honey do" list will be to build Charlie an outdoor aviary. Now I know what to show him to get an idea of what it should look like :th_smile:

[mdg1109]

Sounds like a great summer project




I agree Suzanne, and my sons could help him!

[Lady]

bill-e, I don't think they get snow in Southern California :). Then again the weather has been quite irregular everywhere :th_eek:.