What Gram Scale Shall I Buy?

[birdlady49]

I have been looking at the Ohaus triple beam mechanical scales with the aluminum animal basket. My avian vet has this one and it is so worryfree, even when weighing flighted untame birds. Here's a link to what I'm talking about: Model 730-00 Triple Beam Balance with Animal Cage. Weigh Rodents and Birds

Right now, I have a digital gram scale (battery operated) that is perfect for weighing babies that don't move very much. However, it's not easy for weighing adult, flighted birds. I could wrap them in a towel, weigh them, then subtract the weight of the towel.

What does everyone do to get regular weights on their flock, especially using the little digital scales? Does anyone have the Ohaus triple beam? If so, what do you think?

[sassie]

I have a postal scale I use. The adults just sit on there for a few seconds knowing there going to get a treat after >..<

For the un-tamed birds put them in a basket - which is weighed 1st. Then subtract there weights

[Nazir's]

I had a postal scale but it died on me. I had it for many years. It was certainly an old faithful. I later purchased a cooking scale from Wal-Mart and it has served it's purpose. I paid about $29.00 for it. It weights ounces and/or grams; records weights, times, and dates. Therefore, there's no guessing or forgetting involved. It's made by Chefmate. It weighs up to a max of 72 oz/2000g and a min of 0.05oz/1g.
I weight my fids once a week now. Throughout being hand fed and weaning, they were weighed once every day. I have not ever had a problem, so I've not tried anything other than putting them on the scale. I tell them their weight and they are happy. Job done! Sorry, I couldn't be of any more help.

[sassie]

Wow, I need a system that records weights & times >..<
I am going to look into one of these with my gc from there. I always get one in my stocking from santa :P

[Valo's Moirana]

i use a digital kitchen scale with gram units.... don't know about the above one - would look scary to me if i was a bird... however, i was wondering the same thing - bella and valo step onto the scale without problems, nino is too shy and i'm wondering how i can weigh him... have to say though that i almost like the towel idea better than the basket on the scale (would feel like i'm stressing him out every time)

sassie - what kind of basket do you use?

[birdlady49]

Before I took the six cockatiels home last week from the Gabriel Foundation, I asked that they be weighed and their band numbers be recorded.

I worked with Terry from Birdbrain and we toweled each bird, read the band number and set them on the scale while still in the towel. My hand hoovered above the towel just in case the bird stressed and tried to get out. But they stayed perfectly still each time! Then they were scooped up and placed in my carrier. It worked beautifully and, apparently, that is how Dr Chris Algrim weighs the untame birds at the Foundation's grooming days.

But just being able to plop the bird into the aluminum box on the Ohaus scale seems soooo simple. But the Ohaus is soooo expensive.

[sweetpeaches]

i just bought a kitchen gram scale also (salter). my caique will not stand on it and does not want to stay in a basket. she does like a towel though, so i'll try that next.

[Lori~D]

Or you can go through the process of training your bird to stand on the scale for a moment for a treat (positive rienforcement) . It takes time but it is worth it and 0 stress. Start by teaching them to sit on just a perch that is designed to sit on the scale first. Reward with a fav treat. Ask for longer stays as time goes on. I have an untame bird (or once tame) and we are starting with simply getting him to take a treat from my hand through the cage bars before we go on to through the open door, then on to stepping up etc, etc. But hopefully one day he will be able to simply go from his cage to a perch which is all I need for weighing.

[birdlady49]

Easier said than done. These are very flighty cockatiels and rosellas. I wouldn't have a problem with my doves or Greys.

[birdsnreps]

This is what you do:

buy a regular kitchen gram scale. i got mine on ebay for about $30, including shipping. it came with a plastic bowl so i can weigh babies easily, and it can weigh stuff up to 5000g. its digital and works just as good as the expensive scales.

at the zoo when we weigh smaller, flighted, un-tame adults, we put them in a little plastic basket like this:

http://www.cometplastics.com/gifs/yellow-basket.jpg

Just put the basket on top of the scale and tare it. then open the top of the basket and put the bird in, let them settle down. you get the birds weight without having to add or subtract anything :)