Anyone have luck with those Avian Harnesses or Flight Suits?

[lemonypickett]

Hi gang, I see on websites, lovebirds with the cutest little flight suits. Or that avian harness thing.

Anybody have any experience with it? I know Eddie is not ready for anything like that yet, but while he is young and open to new things ......:whistle:

[Janie]

I really don't think they are a good idea for lovebirds or any small parrots. I would never put one on any one of my three. I am aware that they sell them for small birds but, personally, I would not use a harness on my birds. A lot of things are sold at pet stores that are not really a good thing for your pet bird.

[michael]

Sometime back there was some discussion on whether flight suits (avian diapers) were effective and safe. So far I've heard of no real adverse affects from anyone who's bird went along with wearing one. One concern was vent infections, but there have been little to no indications as of yet this was a problem. The other issue that I've heard "little" about is their affect on body temperature. But again, there seems to be no evidence to suggest this has been a problem either. I think for larger species of parrots avian suits might not be a bad idea should they keep them from defecating in an area where its just not suitable, like a visit to the local elementary school as a treat for the kids, or maybe to the Whitehouse to discuss politics with the president over tea :)......well, maybe it would be best to remove it!

My own :2cents: on them is this....Lovebirds are small, very active, and really don't need any more added restrictions placed on their lives than they already have. Really, I don't think their safe for a lovebird. Besides, their poops aren't plops like their much larger counterparts :omg:. And quite honestly, who on earth would want to cover up such beautifully coloured parrots. Even if it is just their behind :nyah:.

[gigi]

i wanted to get a harness for gigi. not a daiper (i think thats just a weird) but a harness. i live in the city and in the summer time, i go to a lot of barbecues or to the park a lot and i want to take her along with me (shell love it!).

a harness would be good because that little bird is so active, she wont fly away but what if she jumped off my shoulder into the street into oncoming traffic? does anyone else take their bird around? i like to spend time with her but i also like to spend time out of my house.

i took her with me once when it was just getting cold to pick up some food. in the restaurant she jumped off my shoulder and almost waddled into the kitchen... a recipe for disaster!

[Janie]

I was never even thinking "diaper" in my reply, only about a harness. Anyway, if you can safely get one on your bird and your bird doesn't throw a complete conniption, go for it. My three are as tame as any lovebird could be but I'd be willing to bet the house that they would absolutely be horrified of a harness. I still say that lovebirds are just too small for them and I think they look dangerous for little birds. Just my opinion.

[lemonypickett]

I did not mean a diaper, sorry for the confusion.

Yes, I think Eddie would flip if I tried to put a harness on him, but was wondering if anyone had any luck with that.

Sure would be nice to take him out with me!

[Janie]

I did not mean a diaper, sorry for the confusion.

!

I didn't think you meant diaper, just harness. :) Listen, just because I won't try one on my lovies doesn't mean that you won't be successful. They might be absolutely fine but somehow in my mind, I can't picture a harness fitting right on a bird as small as a lovebird. I have seen them on larger parrots (with no problems) and I know that manufactures make them for small birds so I guess it's possible that some small parrots do OK with them.

Have you seen those book bag type carriers for birds? I bought one from Dr. Foster/Smith (about 30.00 I think) and it fits on the front of me, completely mesh front on the bag and has a wooden perch inside. I just checked their website and can't find it. Might have been discontinued. BTW, I have yet to use mine and I've had it for a couple of years, :lol.

Anyway, here is a link that might help you find something you can use for outside time: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pet_supplies.cfm?c=5059+6322

[lemonypickett]

Thanks for the link, I see a couple I like. When the weather gets warmer I would like to take Eddie to the boyfriends when I visit. Figured I should bless him with lovebird poopies too! :)

I bought Eddie this travel carrier (the smaller one) http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/1168/product.web

I thought having a little cage for him to go into when he's over there would be good for him. Get him used to it at my house, then have it over there.

[Z28Taxman]

Thanks for the link, I see a couple I like. When the weather gets warmer I would like to take Eddie to the boyfriends when I visit. Figured I should bless him with lovebird poopies too! :)

I bought Eddie this travel carrier (the smaller one) http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/1168/product.web

I thought having a little cage for him to go into when he's over there would be good for him. Get him used to it at my house, then have it over there.

As lovable as Ditto is I think he'd try to take me apart if I tried to put a harness/flightsuit on him. He does like to go outside but only in his little cage.

Even if a harness would work I'd not want to use one. It would be just too easy for a hawk or falcon to swoop down and take him away for a snack.:( That would happen so fast it would be over before you even knew it happened. I've seen Perigines take pigeons right in front of me. Well more like see pigeon flying. See blur... See pigeon feathers fluttering to ground with no sign of pigeon.

ThatPetPlace is a great store. They're about 25 miles from me and I sometimes drive over there to look at all the stuff. Best part is all their birds, cats and dogs are from the humane league and everyone who is looking to buy gets interviewed and educated about their needs.

[michael]

Yeah. I should have included avian harnesses too. But then my post would have been twice as long! :rotfl .......Ok well, I'm with Dave on the harness. I'd be scared to death taking Goof la bird out even if I could get one on him. Heck, the Ecollar this morning was enough for me! You know, I think its just too dangerous/risky to have them outdoors period. Even when I take Goofy out in his cage its well up off the ground and very secure so he can't get out. My mother, bless her soul only because she's no longer with us, lost a canary to my cat who somehow pulled him through the cage bars and left the feathers lying below on the porch. The cage was hanging up too!

[Z28Taxman]

Yeah. I should have included avian harnesses too. But then my post would have been twice as long! :rotfl .......Ok well, I'm with Dave on the harness. I'd be scared to death taking Goof la bird out even if I could get one on him. Heck, the Ecollar this morning was enough for me! You know, I think its just too dangerous/risky to have them outdoors period. Even when I take Goofy out in his cage its well up off the ground and very secure so he can't get out. My mother, bless her soul only because she's no longer with us, lost a canary to my cat who somehow pulled him through the cage bars and left the feathers lying below on the porch. The cage was hanging up too!

Ditto goes out in his little cage on my screened porch. I also make sure to bring him in well before sunset to avoid mosquitos (west nile and any other nasties they might carry).

He does love to talk to sparrows and finches and scream at chipmonks.

[Jally]

When we take Peanut visiting, we use a carrier. One day, I stupidly took him outside to check the mail and he got scared from a truck rumblin' down the road that he took off from my shoulder even though he was clipped. :( Never again! He does not go outside unless he is in his carrier!! I would like to buy a carrier that I saw in a bird magazine that can also double as a carseat and you can buy a cart to wheel it around with. But they are sooooo expensive!

[thebubbleking]

I have seen little leash type harnesses that go over the back and under the wing at lots of the petshops here, but for me i know my lovies would hate wearing it and even tho we dont have hawks etc here i would worry about cats, dogs or little kids.
I use a carrier made for small dogs and they love it!
It is safer and has room for thier water and food and blanket, plus it has mesh on all sides and cost me only 30 bucks, in my opinion that is a better way to go.

[Bella]

I have seen enough instances of dogs being able to wriggle out of their harnesses (and they don't have beaks that reach everywhere to help them!) to be very sceptical about whether a bird harness could ever truly be safe.

[LauraO]

I don't think any of the harnesses they make fit lovebirds. At one point, we got a harness for one of our meyer's parrots. We bought the smallest ones we could find in two different brands and both were too big for him.

It is also extremely difficult to get birds to wear harnesses. It can also damage any relationship with a bird as my husband can attest. He tried two days in a row to get a harness on our meyer's Koa. Before, my husband and Koa spent a lot of time together and Koa really liked him. However, Koa has never trusted my husband since the "harness" episodes and it's been like two years.8o

[jayme]

flight harnesses look so sad! are you planning on taking your bird for a fly outside? i guess it's a good way to go fishing for hawks and eagles.