10 yo BFA and the Aviator

[mgood01]

Hi all,

Well, it's been a few weeks of frustration with Zoey, my 10 yo female BFA. Starting to wonder if you can teach an old bird new tricks. Also learning to pick my battles carefully.

Decided to switch from fruit Zupreem to Harrisons. Zoey would have no part of it, making it clear she would rather starve than have to eat those boring brown pellets. Oh well, the pellets and the veg's fruits and grains I give her should cover her nutritional needs fairly well, I think.

But, here's my question. I bought the aviator flight harness for her, mainly so I can take her outside so she can get some direct sunlight, a little fresh air, and maybe get in some flying. Well, after about a week of showing her the harness, rubbing it against her, letting her chew on it as a toy, we finally took the plunge and got it on her.

Well, she basically acted out what she thinks it would be like to be eaten by a snake. Not happy, falling on her back, getting her toes hooked under the harness. I got it off her, and she was really peeved with me for the rest of the day.

She's madly in love with me and will let me manhandle her to a surprising extent, but the harness was going over the line, I guess.

We haven't done it again, I don't want to have her completely decide that it's a bad thing. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to procede?

[dislater]

Yes, do like I did, let her watch you wrap up the harness in an envelope and mail it on to someone else who wants to try it. Then buy an expensive outside powder coated cage made for use outside for your bird. Works every time. di

[ROYJOY]

got mine last week, watched the dvd, hung it on play stand and cage, am trying to get tiki use to being handled under the wings and over the head. he's ok with the head and eyes, buy hates to be touched on the wings. this may take a while. we go outside a couple times a day. his flying is getting better. if he doesnt take to the harness, i'll just have to keep him clipped, he loves it outside.

[Valo's Moirana]

the description of zoey and the harness sounds AWFULLY familiar... valo would play with the harness and not mind it around him, until i try to get it onto him - one could think i'm torturing that little guy by the noise he makes.... i'm persistent though, and i did get it on a few days ago (unfortunately it was set too loose). it seems to be getting better every time, since he seems to realize that he's not getting hurt.... i love valo being flighted, so this is the only way i can take him outside without a cage... and i think it's worth the try

also, a girl at one of the pet stores i go to (and which i really like) offered to put the harness on... that might be something you could consider if you know somebody who would wanna go through with it. then zoey wouldn't associate it with you - at least not at the beginning

[little_angels]

Originally Posted by dislater

Yes, do like I did, let her watch you wrap up the harness in an envelope and mail it on to someone else who wants to try it. Then buy an expensive outside powder coated cage made for use outside for your bird. Works every time. di

yup thats what my BFA wanted me to do...but i cheated i started using it on the galah too instead hehe Tangos a bit slow and i dont think hes realised yet that hes had a harness on him

but seriouslysome birds just dont take to it i mean my grey would rather die than have that red harness ANYWHERE near him!

i know not great advice but sure im still nursing wounds from my last encounter with zup and a harness

[Monica]

Charlie never had a harness on him (that I know of) until he was 12 years old... He doesn't like the harness either, however all he does is bite at it. He wasn't desensitized to it, that I know of... just stuck on him. The more he wears it the more he gets used to it... WHILE we are outside. While outside he's been learning to ignore it and enjoy his surroundings as long as we are moving. Inside however is another story.... he goes back to biting at it and trying to get rid of it...

[mgood01]

22 years? Well, that's encouraging! I think that once she gets outside she'll probably be so distracted by all the sights and sounds, the harness will be the last thing on her mind. We'll see. Especially now that she's back on the fruity Zupreem she's much happier. The Harrison's went over like a lead balloon.

[tielmama]

Charlie looks so CUTE in that harness! What an angel! I've only tried a harness on one cockatiel. It didn't work for me. I was afraid I would hurt her.

[PrettySisqo]

Once you get the harness on your bird and they get to go outside, they'll get used to it.

Sisqo is 10 years old, and never had a harness on until just a few months ago. I got him the Aviator, and I ended up toweling him to get it over his head. He's not to keen on not seeing where your hands are at all times. After I got it on him and he went outside, he really started to enjoy it. Now he just gets mad at me if I take too long to get it on him. I think he gets annoyed with being pulled off balance a little while sliding the clasp to his size.

Good luck and don't give up hope :)