Parrot toys!

[Jean]

I always like to share a good link for parrot toys. :dance:

http://www.mightybeaks.com/

[Shirley]

I just ordered and already received a harness! Can't wait to post a pic...I'll try it on someone tonight or tomorrow... It's for Holly, but also fits Skyler or Nicky. Shipping is free! :agree:

http://www.mightybeaks.com/Harness.htm

[amazing greys]

free shipping, what a deal ;)

can't wait to see pics of the birds wearing it :p

What sz did you get? Med?

I really like that harness, compared to the feather teather, that thing had too much metal and buckles. I would imagine this one is much lighter.

Gonna have to get me one too.

[Shirley]

Here's Skyler wearing the harness! He's so easy... Holly will take awhile. I got it for her. She does NOT like wearing things -- she wore her harness last year, but that was last year. It will take while to get her back in a harness.

The Feather Tether is the most complicated and most useless, imo, of all the harnesses. There are several styles much better-designed for birds than the feather-teather.

The only problem I have with this one is there's no "quick-release" snap to get it off in a hurry if your bird wants out in a hurry, but Skyler is so easy he'd never need to be "out in a hurry". Holly likes to be in and out in a hurry, but is fine while in a harness. She wouldn't want a lot of fiddling getting her in or out of it. On the upside, there's no bulky snap to have in the way while she's wearing it.

The 3rd photo on the right... does not include the 6 ft leash. Those are the two parts of the actual harness. The D-ring goes on the chest and the leash snaps to it.

[amazing greys]

thanks for the pics, Skyler makes a good model :thumbup:


yes, that looks alot better than the feather tether.

[parrotgirl]

I also have the feather tether, and think thats what Bucc doesn't like all the metal clips. Have to get one of those ones.

[Jean]

That is great!!! It really looks simple.

I can get Elvie in costumes and such but he hated his harness. I wish I had started to introduce him to one when he was young. I tried his first one when he was about 8 yrs old and he would not allow it. No way!

I highly suggest birds be started off with a harness at a younger age when they are much more willing to accept one.

[Ginny]

I agree with you Jean. We started with Bacardi only a few months after we had her and now as soon as she sees it she starts "you want to go bye bye" She is so funny. Now Taco was not exposed to anything like that and she was afraid of it. She is ok with the harness now but is afraid of the leash that hangs down. I found the perfect one just like the ones I have now but it is from Australia and it is expensive and 10.00 for shipping (the ones I have a lady in our bird club made and use to sell them) but she doesn 't sell them any more and I can't find that kind. I need something that would have some kind of a hook that wouldn't take that long to put on. Taco would not stand for me to mess with it that long. If anyone knows of somewhere I can get a harness that looks just like this one please let me know. Here is the link to the one like what I have.


http://www.tt.biz-au.com/


OH and Shirley Skyler sure does look handsome in the harness. He is such a good sport to model for you.


Oh and P.S. That feather tether is the most complicated thing I have ever seen. I tried to help Shirley get it on Skyler when we fist tried it and it took my husband 30 min. to try to put it back together after we got it off. :ohmy: I gave up I couldn't even figure it out.

[Jim]

Skyler looks like he does good with a harness.:agree:

Ginny, Ya know I don't mean to talk bad about the feather tether but it is heavy, all those clips, and like you said, it's complicated.

I used to think what if I was the bird. Never worn anything on my body and here comes this human with straps and what 4-5 buckles almost as big as my head to put this thing on me. Now I get it on and it weighs so much, compared to my weight, I'm worn out just standing up.

[Shirley]

Skyler wore his new harness for about 2-1/2 hrs today... our shopping took way longer than we anticipated... so how did he respond? He fell asleep on Steve's shoulder in PetSmart... on a strange lady's shouder in Pet Products Plus, and met the Pharmacist in Kroger and asked her for a kiss... shopped throughout Kroger grocery with us, let the elderly to the youngtsers love on him... and he never pottied once in the store!! Such a good boy...

[amazing greys]

Wow Shirley, that's great to hear Skyler had an awesome outing :clap:


Ya mean they don't kick you out in a grocery store with a pet?? lol

[Shirley]

Well, Jean said she takes Elvie to the store all the time... so Troy and I took Skyler to the store once last summer... for a short stop... so this time we took him for a fairly full shop becuase while we were out we got a call that company was coming over (yeah!) and so we picked up everything for a cookout instead of JUST going to the pharmacy... no one said a word! And Skyler was SO GOOD!!!

[Ginny]

Skyler wore his new harness for about 2-1/2 hrs today... our shopping took way longer than we anticipated... so how did he respond? He fell asleep on Steve's shoulder in PetSmart... on a strange lady's shouder in Pet Products Plus, and met the Pharmacist in Kroger and asked her for a kiss... shopped throughout Kroger grocery with us, let the elderly to the youngtsers love on him... and he never pottied once in the store!! Such a good boy...

wow how did you get away with taking him in a grocery store. If you even walk in one here with a bird they make you leave. We took Bacardi in walmart one time and they made us leave. :(

[Shirley]

Well, Noblesville is a much smaller town... maybe that's why... and Skyler's so colorful and outgoing they were just too charmed to say anything, I think... :shrug:

[Jean]

That was amazing he got to go in a grocery store. I can picture him being the center of attention. I've had Elvie in a lot of stores just not grocery stores. I have taken him in the hospital under his baby bundle bag and was asked to see what I had under there by the candy stripe gals. I let them see Elvie and they kept their mouths shut and chuckled. We had to take him with us that day because Al's brother was having prostate cancer surgery about 125 miles from home and we were there all day. I am so happy he is potty trained, he is very good about going potty in the restroom when I take him.

[parrotgirl]

Skyler looks like he does good with a harness.:agree:

Ginny, Ya know I don't mean to talk bad about the feather tether but it is heavy, all those clips, and like you said, it's complicated.

I used to think what if I was the bird. Never worn anything on my body and here comes this human with straps and what 4-5 buckles almost as big as my head to put this thing on me. Now I get it on and it weighs so much, compared to my weight, I'm worn out just standing up.

As I said I have a feather tether and it really is a heavy old thing, its got more buckles and rings on it than enough. I am sure that is why Bucc will not allow the thing on him, not sure I'd really want something that heavy on my body.

Ginny I too had trouble when I first got it, I undid the thing never to be able to get it done up right, think it took me about 2+ months, and then I had a look at one in the pet shop.

At the moment Tryit Macaw has it on and Bucc isn't bothered by it at all, he just says good boy. LOL I'll have to have a look round here for one like Skyler's (Holly's)

[Jim]

Cool Shirley.:thumbup: Wish we could take Nino & Teo in the grocery store. Hmmmm .... maybe not now that I think about it. It's amazing how it calms them down and they even hunker down or fall asleep when they're out isn't?

We have a little saying around here about taking them out to calm them down. "They need to go get their daily dose of valium".

Jean I can just see Elvie in the bundle bag, the candy stripe gals looking and chuckling. What a good boy he is. I'm used to birds and I would be at a lose for words if I saw him like that. No way they could have said he can't come in.:)

[Shirley]

Jean... I thought you took Elvie to the grocery. I talked Steve into it.. JEAN TAKES ELVIE!! (I won't tell him the truth now!)

Jim, we used to take Troy in his carseat for a ride and it put him right to sleep when he was little and couldn't get to sleep at night... guess it works with birds too, huh!?!

Skyler loves to meet people. Sometimes, not always, when we say bye to the people he meets when we're out, he'll call out, "See ya later. I'll be back". He says that every time he sees me get my purse to leave the house. Then the people nearly fall over!

[parrotgirl]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: That is just too cool, "See ya later, I'll be back" just like arnie

[Ginny]

Skyler looks like he does good with a harness.:agree:

Ginny, Ya know I don't mean to talk bad about the feather tether but it is heavy, all those clips, and like you said, it's complicated.

I used to think what if I was the bird. Never worn anything on my body and here comes this human with straps and what 4-5 buckles almost as big as my head to put this thing on me. Now I get it on and it weighs so much, compared to my weight, I'm worn out just standing up.

Jim do you know if that one like Shirley's....I think a frind of yours sells them....do you think they would put a different clip or buckle on it if I asked?

[Jean]

Skyler has to be the cutest little guy saying that as he leaves. I love it! Elvie, only says By By and waves his umbrella up and down as he leaves.

I take him to Home Depot, the hardware stores, antique shops, post office, outside eating at the ice cream parlor, the outdoor market/street fair we have downtown each summer. Art shows, car shows, yard sales, flee markets, school classrooms a couple times a year. And the hospital, a friend Pub, . Just about anywhere we go except the supermarket which I would if I thought they would allow him in there. Wait a minute, I just remembered I took him in a few restaurants in our travels during the summer hidden under his bundle bag. I asked permission from management (2) major chains and an independent. I explained, I could not leave him in the car due to the heat. I hit it lucky....He was so good and stayed there. I gave him some of my food and he was content being cuddled with mama in his baby bundle bag.

[Jim]

Jim do you know if that one like Shirley's....I think a frind of yours sells them....do you think they would put a different clip or buckle on it if I asked?Not sure what you're asking Ginny. Do you want a different clip/buckle on the body strap or where the lead hooks to the harness?

I looked at the link you provided. I like the harness but I do have a concern about what looks like a plactic snap thingy. I think it could be risky, the bird could snap/break it and be free or tangled in a heart beat. Maybe it's not plastic???

I doubt the ones I know would change the clip/buckle because of liability reasons. It's sad I know but it's the world we live in.

With all that said. The harnesses Nino & Teo wear are sort of a mix of things that I wanted, so I may be able to help you there.

[Shirley]

Don't Nino and Teo wear the harness I just got?

[Jim]

Yes they do 99% of the time. The only thing different is I don't use the dog type clip to the D ring at the chest for the lead. It has a permanent lead/webbing tied to the D ring about 24" long that I hook the retractable lead to. They would unclip the dog clip faster than I could hook it. Pretty scary to be walking/talking and they lean down to look at you with the dog clip in their beak. You can, I'm sure you know, cut the body strap so there's no extra hanging or stuffed in some place. Nino & Teo chewed/played with it less when cut to fit so to speak.

Now they also have the Aviator Harness. I like it a lot, it's the one Steve and I worked on. Pricey. I'm picky and an trying out some new ways for the lead/body strap, it's one strap on the Aviator, to leave the harness. (shoulder part) I know that has to be confusing to read but best I can do in the written word.

And to confuss it more they have some home made ones too.

[Shirley]

OK... where's the link again to them in the Aviator Harness and where does it come from? :rolleyes: :D :wub:

[Jim]

You'll have to look at the instruction page to hopefully see what I'm talking about the way the lead comes off the shoulder part of the harness.

If you look closely at some of the pics where they are landing on my hand you can see the red webbing them the elastic part to stop the shock if they take off.

They had these harnesses on for the pics. Now Steve is my best friend and the harness is top of the line. BUT for me personally, and please I'm not patting myself on the back here, my birds FLY as they're means of getting anywhere. The one piece harness is GREAT, easy to put on and no escape. Now the one you have Shirley is the one I use because if the bird takes off and comes to the end the whole harness is pulling on the bird. The other one the main part that would pull is the body strap. Is that clear? Can you get the picture in your head.

Here I thought of this while typing. Picture a human safety harness. If you fall the shock is evenly distributed. With the Aviator, Steve and I disagree on this, most of the shock is to the waist. (the belt) The one you have, if you would hang a stuffed bird from it you would see what I'm talking about as compared to the other one.

Boy, I hope you can make heads and tails out of all that.


Here's the link

Harness (http://theparrotuniversity.com/harness/harness.html)

[Ginny]

Not sure what you're asking Ginny. Do you want a different clip/buckle on the body strap or where the lead hooks to the harness?

I looked at the link you provided. I like the harness but I do have a concern about what looks like a plactic snap thingy. I think it could be risky, the bird could snap/break it and be free or tangled in a heart beat. Maybe it's not plastic???

I doubt the ones I know would change the clip/buckle because of liability reasons. It's sad I know but it's the world we live in.

With all that said. The harnesses Nino & Teo wear are sort of a mix of things that I wanted, so I may be able to help you there.

Jim I know what you are saying and you are right. MOST birds would take and snap that plastic buckle off in a min. BUT (now this is just me and my bird)!!! I put the clip under her wing and she NEVER even looks at it because she is use to it. NOW here again there are a lot of birds that would mess with it and a macaw like you said could snap it in a heart beat. There is another place that makes them with the little metal clips but they don't lay as flat but there again MY BIRD would not mess with that. (because I got her use to it when she was young and she never did mess with it). So you have to know your bird and one harness will work for one bird better then another. The other thing that I was wondering is do you have to thread that buckle in and then back out of the buckle every time you put it on? One other thing besides the buckle on the chest piece I would like to know if they would put one of those (D rings) if that is what they call in on the back of it. Now this is just my feelings I always hook mine on the back of the bird. BECAUSE I have had her get spooked before and if we are out and a lot of things going on I don't have much slack in the leash. But when she did get spooked and took off and came to the end of the leash (not far) she was kind of hanging there (right side up) and then I put my hand under her so she could step up. IF the leash was on the chest it would have flipped her upside down and really spooked her. Now on the other hand like you do and let them fly from one place to the other and they have a place to land near the end of the leash I can see where having it on the chest would be ok. But if we are walking around the campground and she were to fly off and there is no where to land at least when she stops flapping she can hang from the leash and harness without hanging upside down. I would like to have the option of being able to clip if on the front or the back. I also see what you mean about the one that Shirley has and I do agree with you. I think it is better that the harness support the whole body not just around the chest. I noticed that the one Shirley has you can only clip on the chest also. I think you said that your friend makes some other ones also. Does he have them on his site? Thanks a lot Jim for all the great info and input. :tighthug:

[Jim]

Boy my poor fingers are getting a work out tonight. I agree whole hardly Ginny, each bird and owner is going to be different.

The harness we use has the metal thingy like would be on a belt so yes you put it thru each time. What I do is cut it about 1/2 - 3/4 in. longer than where it goes thru the metal thingy. You know like mark where it is, once on the bird and comfortable. I then let the water drip in the sink, burn the end, it's nylon, just enough the soften it and smash it in the water as not to burn the fingy. Then cut with scissors into a rounder point. Make since? It's pretty easy to thread thru them.

The D rings are not solid, you can turn them to where you can see the split, pry open and put where you want and press back together. Open just enough to get it off the webbing.

Okay, again each bird each person. Wearing a harness has risks no doubt. What doesn't. Here is what I have seen with the lead on the back. Bird takes off, lead hits or is in wing feathers, bird is scared. The worst one I personally saw -- bird took off, lead got wrapped in wing feathers bird is freaking more and before the owner got control the bird had 3 broken wing feathers, one bleeding and owner with bleeding finger.

Yes on the chest the bird can end up upside down and yes scared/freaking and flapping. The chance of the lead getting tangled IMO is far less. Plus you can put your hand on the bird's back and most of the time, not always, being in the submissive position like that he will relax and you have control of the situation. No finger close to the beak either.

It's all personal choice. Just wanted to share what I've seen and my opinion.

[Ginny]

Boy my poor fingers are getting a work out tonight. I agree whole hardly Ginny, each bird and owner is going to be different.

The harness we use has the metal thingy like would be on a belt so yes you put it thru each time. What I do is cut it about 1/2 - 3/4 in. longer than where it goes thru the metal thingy. You know like mark where it is, once on the bird and comfortable. I then let the water drip in the sink, burn the end, it's nylon, just enough the soften it and smash it in the water as not to burn the fingy. Then cut with scissors into a rounder point. Make since? It's pretty easy to thread thru them.

I know exactly what you mean. I did it with extra on the harness I have now.

The D rings are not solid, you can turn them to where you can see the split, pry open and put where you want and press back together. Open just enough to get it off the webbing.

Oh I didn't know they were not solid. The ones on Bacardi's harness are solid.

Okay, again each bird each person. Wearing a harness has risks no doubt. What doesn't. Here is what I have seen with the lead on the back. Bird takes off, lead hits or is in wing feathers, bird is scared. The worst one I personally saw -- bird took off, lead got wrapped in wing feathers bird is freaking more and before the owner got control the bird had 3 broken wing feathers, one bleeding and owner with bleeding finger.

You are so right. I can see where both could be a risk. I know with my birds the back works better for me. If Taco were hanging upside down ...... she would take your hand off if you tried to hold her on her back. You are so right everyone's birds are different and everyone has to know there birds and how they react.

Yes on the chest the bird can end up upside down and yes scared/freaking and flapping. The chance of the lead getting tangled IMO is far less. Plus you can put your hand on the bird's back and most of the time, not always, being in the submissive position like that he will relax and you have control of the situation. No finger close to the beak either.

It's all personal choice. Just wanted to share what I've seen and my opinion.
I always appreciate your opinion. You always do it in such a nice way without making people think their way is the WRONG way or there is only ONE way to do things. It is always good to get other peoples way of looking at things and their way of thinking. Thanks again. :wub:

[ouccmich]

I just ordered and already received a harness! Can't wait to post a pic...I'll try it on someone tonight or tomorrow... It's for Holly, but also fits Skyler or Nicky. Shipping is free! :agree:

http://www.mightybeaks.com/Harness.htm

My bird hated the harness. I got the flightsuit instead and he doesn't mind it so much.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=6323&Ntt=flight%20suit&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2003&Nty=1

[Shirley]

Dr. Cook saw Skyler's new harness... well guess what?!?? That's the same brand harness she uses on Merlin and Shelby!! I knew it looked similar, but it's the SAME brand! :dance:

[Jean]

Dr. Cook saw Skyler's new harness... well guess what?!?? That's the same brand harness she uses on Merlin and Shelby!! I knew it looked similar, but it's the SAME brand! :dance:

That says a lot! :highfive: Jim should be glad to read that she uses that harness too.

[Kevin]

Definitely need to ease the birds into wearing the bird harnesses and have plenty of treats in the process.

[mickey8978]

I always like to share a good link for parrot toys. :dance:

http://www.mightybeaks.com/

I am always looking for creative toys for my parrot. You can go to Pet Smart, but you find the same old stuff there. I would also be interested in toys that you find to be your favorite. Christmas is just around the corner.

[mickey8978]

I am always looking for creative toys for my parrot. You can go to Pet Smart, but you find the same old stuff there. I would also be interested in toys that you find to be your favorite. Christmas is just around the corner.