Flight Suit - No poop!

[mp8272]

I have a hand-fed cockatiel (Tarzan) and he is approximately 4 months old. I got a flight suit on Saturday and put it on him pretty easily. He only believes in staying in the cage every so often to eat so I figured this would give him more freedom since I would not have to worry about poop all over the house. He wants to be with a person constantly! I left the suit on for 6 hours or so and when I removed it I discovered he had not gone poop the whole time! He went immediately when I removed it and it was about 4-6 times more than a normal poop! I tried again the next day for about 4 hours with the same results. I then tried 5 hours last night thinking with him tired he would go but again he held! Has anyone had this experience? Is it dangerous for him to hold like this - he normally goes every 20-40 minutes!

[Monica]

If he's not going in the flightsuit, then I don't suggest you have it on him as long as you have.... take it off at least every 30 mins or so... or better yet, see if you can potty train him...

If in breeding season, it's common for them to hold their poop for long periods of time while IN the nest, however it's not otherwise normal, and so I wouldn't suggest you force your tiel NOT to go...

[bustersbuddy]

NO, that long is not normal. Time between poops will vary, but 4 or more hours is not a good thing. Obviously the bird feels that he shouldn't poop in the suit and is holding back for a long time. I would use the suit only for a limited amount of time each day or when you are taking him outside. Otherwise, let him "be natural".

[bird_luver24]

I agree. I would definately not leave this suit on for any longer then 30 minutes, ecspecially if he is holding it like this. Ive thought about getting the flight Suits but, I decided now to Potty Train instead. Its going well.
Now, for outtings like outside I plan to use just the regular Feather Tether, or Aviator Harness's.

[kimtoo]

I use a flight suit on Mila when we go out of the house. It has never stopped her from pooping. IMO-she poops more with it on!

[homebird]

Like the others have said - this obviously says to him - no pooping. You may have the perfect tool to introduce poop training.

Good luck with the flight suit. {i sympathies about the poop everywhere & ruining furniture surfaces - my place is slowly disappearing under crotched doilies.}

If you take it off & on his attitude might change - maybe he's just confused by it when it's so new.

Poor you - Poor him - Who would have guessed that would happen!