DIY Diaperless Flight Suit!

[sugarbeth]

Buzz was trained to wear an aviator harness by his breeder, and I got it on exactly one time without a fight. Then he went to the vet and got put in a restraint that looked just like his harness and that was the end of that. Argh. The last time I put it on him, all he did was chew on it and he was SO agitated. I actually didn't like the aviator anyway - I felt it was waaay too hard to put on and off as the slider was really hard to finagle on a little bird.

Then I saw the video that TwoG2s linked to over on The Perch, on how to get a flight suit on, and that looked way easier than the aviator!

YouTube - Diapering a reluctant bird

The only thing is that I didn't like the "diaper" aspect of the flight suit. I didn't want to deal with cleaning it out, and I didn't want the other birds to mock Buzz. lol!

So I wondered if I could just make a flight suit without that part, and I did! The pictures you see are of the first attempt - I will likely make another one with neater stitching and a thicker elastic cord for the leash (or I will just braid 3 thin elastic cords together). Buzz tolerated this MUCH MUCH better than the aviator. I took him outside today and distracted him with pumpkin flowers and he didn't seem nearly so pissed off at me and left it mostly alone. And it was super easy to put on and take off. So yay! I made it out of flannel so it is nice and soft. And he went poop and it cleared the vest, so the fit seems good. I sewed the leash cord underneath the velcro, so it is not removable like the one with the real flight suit.

I included the pattern I used in case anyone feels like getting crafty and needs a starting point for making one to fit their bird.

[Peanutbutter]

Very nice looking vest you made there! :)

I'm impressed.

I tried a diy harness once upon a time. I was debating buying the aviator & thought I'd give the fids a trial run before I spent the money. Holly did not like the idea at all; Meena chewed it a lot but would wear it.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...mall/wings.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/together.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...small/legs.jpg

I might give this one a go, just for the fun of it. :)

[Peanutbutter]

DP. Boy bb is running weird today.

[Flappuccino]

Wow! Looks very professional! I could never make something like that.

Great job!

[sugarbeth]

PB - yours looks a lot like the aviator!

I was really trying to get away from any design that involved putting something over his head. It's so much easier to just wrap it around and pop the wings and feet through. :)

[Ashling]

My lorikeet hates her harness- nothing frightens her more than having things around her head/ neck. I wish I was more crafty so I could make this... how do you get the velcro on? Just sew it? (I can't sew...) I would love to *try* and make this...

[brdfvr]

OMG! That is so amazing! You should patent this one! I would love to have one of these vests (hint, hint). I wish I was this talented.

[sugarbeth]

Originally Posted by Ashling

My lorikeet hates her harness- nothing frightens her more than having things around her head/ neck. I wish I was more crafty so I could make this... how do you get the velcro on? Just sew it? (I can't sew...) I would love to *try* and make this...

Yep, just sew the velcro on, that is the best way. They do sell sticky back velcro, but that won't stay for long. They also make fusible velcro, but I have not tried it.

I've since remade this one with a 1/8" elastic cord for the leash part. And I didn't do any topstitching this time, so the only stitching you see is for the velcro. Looks a lot neater that way. :) We are taking Buzz camping this weekend, so I wanted to be sure I got a leash that worked by then. :)

[Flappuccino]

want to sell some?

Others have expressed interest, and I'd like one for my caique...

[sugarbeth]

Originally Posted by Flappuccino

want to sell some?

Others have expressed interest, and I'd like one for my caique...

I'd love to sell some, it's the "making" part that I don't like. lol! Plus, I have no way of knowing how big to make these things for birds other than a Hahn's. Nah, I just like figuring these things out and posting the instructions so people can make them themselves. If anyone needs a more detailed tutorial, I'm sure I can swing that.