Bicki's Bird Harness!

[bickitrainer]

Yay! Today Bicki went out for his first time to experience the great outdoors! The harness arrived on Thursday, and during that time until today (Sunday) we have been putting it on him and letting him get used to the harness before taking him outside.

He still chews it abit but that's normal. Its been a huge improvement since the first time we put it on. We will work on flight training once he gets used to the outdoors.

[silverfox]

I am glad Bicki is getting use to the harness . The kids love the pic of Bicki. Hmmmm 1 lovie handraised pet me thinks lol

[robert]

Love these photoes Bickitrainer. Good to see Lovies can get used to a harness. Thanks so much. from Robert and Hope

[vankarhi]

Congratulations. It looks a bit big around his neck. does it goe under his wings and then onto his back???

[bickitrainer]

Oh it seems a little big around his neck? I wouldn't know because this is my first harness. Yes, it goes under his wings then onto his back.

The thing around the neck was a little tricky, I had to make sure it was tight enough to be escape proof but also loose enough to breathe. I was able to fit my whole finger down through a gap in the loop when it was on his neck, and he couldn't get it off as well, so that was ok.

[courtzrocks]

HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET THAT ON!!! My Matches is alot bigger than bicki so easier to figure out where things go but she chucks the biggest tantrum, she hates it so much and chews it and has even figured out how to unclip the lead!!! I need a new harness now cos she can do that...good work getting it on her!

[bickitrainer]

Lol courtzrocks, really?? What about when the clip is on her back? Can she still take it off? Lol what a clever bird.

Trust me, putting that thing on wasn't easy.

[robert]

Courtney,have you thought of getting the Aviator Harness theparrotuniversity.com/aviator_harness.php . The Australian distrubator is www.myparrotshop.com/bird-accessories/cat_9.html The reason why I put a particlur harness for Lovebirds on this site is that it too,is reagarded as escape proof. While all these harnesses are more expensive,better to pay the extra money,than lose the bird. from Robert and Hope

[farseeker]

I have a harness for Trouble but haven't tried to introduce it to him until recently. He has a great dislike of it though - I've just been putting the loop section in my hand while he's on it and feeding him sunflower seeds, but he gets very twitchy just from that. I don't want to force him into wearing it though. =/

Also Robert, that harness looks really great - the one thing about this one that worries me is the length of the lead, because I don't feel that it's long enough to allow a bird to recover from a frightened take off without jerking them back which is something I want to avoid.

[courtzrocks]

Yeah I have thought about the aviator harness. I probably will get one of those cos the feather teather isnt working lol. I was in petwise when Matches unclipped the lead from the harness, and she was still working on the other clip so she didnt fly luckily. She did it 3 times there so I havent used it again. I think I will get an aviator harness, i have seen them and really think they look good. She will need a small i think...she's in that weight range anyway. If she doesnt wear her harness how am i supposed to take her to pick out toys with me?? LOL.

[bickitrainer]

Lol that's clever! I wonder what Bicki would do if I took him to the shops.. he'll probably still focus on trying to take the thing off. He doesn't care about the outdoors.

He's so calm when he's wearing the harness though!! Its like he's just given up trying to take it off. I put him on his back and tickled his belly (something I've never done before)!!

I have the feather teather harness....

[courtzrocks]

At least bicki is getting used to it...Matches has worn hers so many times, for hours sometimes and she still doesnt give up chewing it...when she picks toys i get the one that draws her attenion away from the harness for a bit lol. I had the feather teather too but i think the clip would be to big for bicki to unclip. Your so lucky he calms down...Matches goes at it like a bull in a china shop, she gets agressive too.

[bickitrainer]

Oh wow how long have you had your harness? Is Matches used to it yet?

[courtzrocks]

I don't use it anymore cos she can unclip it so i will have to try with another one. She was usuing it for about 3 weeks but Matches is a chewer and she hates her feathers to be touched so that would be why it takes her longer to get used to it. Bicki should be fine.

[bickitrainer]

I haven't taken Bicki out in a while. He loathes the harness so badly. When he wears it, as I said, he just gives up. He has no motivation. I put him on the grass and he just sits there, trying to take the thing off lol.

[courtzrocks]

Yeah Matches just bites at the clip until she opens it, I will eventually get the aviator harness and try with that...if that doesnt work then oh well, she wont be coming out then lol.

[robert]

Hope the Aviator Harness works on Matchess. Took Precious to the local Coffee Club,today. Will have to invest in a Parrot Harness. I am inclined to think that the earlier,the attempt is made,the easier it is. Anyhow all the best with the Aviator Harness. One of the good things about the Aviator Harness, is that it is advertised as escape proof. From Robert and Precious.

[courtzrocks]

Lets hope so!

[bullibirdshow]

Hey Bicki looks so cute in that harness.

How about target training to the harness or clicking and treating each time that the bird touches it?

Just a suggestion.

May I ask what camera you use? Really clear photos.

Cheers,

Kate

[bickitrainer]

He is ok with the harness. He loves to play with it and wriggling under it. He just doesn't like wearing it.

I used a sony camera, not sure about the exact details. It was a nice day that time, so maybe that was part of why the photos are clear.