How to hold them???

pabloc · Post by **pabloc** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:21 pm

Hi everybody!

1st post over here!

Let me explain... my blue female ringneck opened her cage or wasn't properly closed, so she escaped and hit herself against a window when my sister tried to get her. She's fine, but has a small wound with a blood spot that I wanted to check closer, and cure...

Now... here comes the problem... She ain't so easy to catch as lovebirds! And to keep her held in my hand without moving or sliding was impossible. My method, which I think may be wrong, goes like this: I put the palm and 3 fingers over her back and wings, while my thumb and index are placed at both sides of the neck. She is a breeding female and not tame, like most of the handfed puppies around this place, and this complicates the operation

Now I would like to ask you, when you have to hold them, how do you do it? How much strength do you use?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Regards,

Pablo

Donna · Post by **Donna** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:03 pm

Pablo you were holding right with just a light pressure on her but it's best if they hit a window or something it is best to wrap them up in a hand towel or small blanket so she does'nt go into shock. Then check for injury.
Where is the blood spot on her? Is it by the beak or on the feathers of the wings?

Donna

pabloc · Post by **pabloc** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:24 pm

Hmmm

I didn't explain it very well, sorry!

She has a small wound, with little blood in the beak base (in the union with flesh). Her general health state is quite good, she showed a lot of strenght and reflexes when I tried to get her out of the cage (I've had a tiel shocked, and I know the difference).

What I normally do with lovebirds, if I need to check them for more than just 1 sec. or to get them back to the cage (terrible week!) is placing a small cloth over their head, as they stop moving and seem to feel less stressed. This time this didn't work, as I needed to cure the beak base and couldn't cover it, so due to improper handling, she managed to slip everytime off my hand (this time in a small room without windows or mirrors!).

Maybe I try wrapping next time, but I think that's fine only for tame or sick birds, as I bet this time my IRN would try to get rid of the towel. What I need to know, is how to grab them properly with my hand.

Thanks for your kind help! It's really appreciated!

Regards,

Pablo

Post by **Lauren** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:33 pm

Yep thats the way to hold them. Towels really help aswell. Hope the wound heals soon and its not too serious. :wink:

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:46 pm

Pro-clip.

CatsChair · Post by **CatsChair** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:56 am

Uh Mik.....is the photo to keep Pablo's bird amused while he is holding him? Think you forgot the message?

Anyway, Pablo, it sounds like you are holding her right, they just don't like having anyone mess with their faces. Hope she is all better soon.

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:24 am

Mikaela wrote:Pro-clip.

No hun... think you missed the message, focused on the pic. D'Uh! Its ok... we all have to remove our foot from our mouths from time to time. :wink:

CatsChair · Post by **CatsChair** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:48 am

I'm used to flossing with my shoelaces, guess I still don't get it though.... Thought you were saying something about a professional photo as clip art in your siggy. Only pro-clip I know is to hold things in your car. Is it some sort of bird restraint that would help hold her head still so you could examine her face? Less than 24 hr in the cold and my brain is shot!

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:42 am

Pro vs. Con

Im Pro-clip.

I change my sig about as often as a hooker changes their panties. Im a shutterbug moreso than the odd bird lady.

Donna · Post by **Donna** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:44 am

I think Mik means she's for clipping the wings. But in this persons problem is she/he wants to know how to hold an untame breeder IRN bare handed and I think wrapping it is the only way with breeder birds (untame) cause your looking at a very serious bite!! OOch! if you don't. It's better for both bird and handeler to wrap it.

Donna

Post by **Lauren** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:29 pm

Didnt think you could clip a untame breeder bird.

Donna · Post by **Donna** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:41 pm

Yes you can!!!!

Donna

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:34 pm

I thought thats what you were suggesting while having the bird toweled. :lol:

We are a bunch of drunks.

Chick... hunny... you can clip a unicorn as long as you can hold it down and wack it with a pair of scissors. rotflmao

Post by **Lauren** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:36 pm

Hehe. I was saying you can clip it but you may have an amputated hand after. :lol:

Toweling would be the only way. Or if all else fails, get an avian vet to do it. They can knock them out and clip if they need to.
I thought Gilbert would need to be knocked out at the vet but he was soo well behaved. As soon as the vet grabbed him he was like 'oh dear, mummy, I cant move.'
But Pabloc seems to be holding her right. :wink:

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:36 pm

Ok... Same page again. :lol:

Holding birdie... must stay focused.

pabloc · Post by **pabloc** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:06 am

Hey girls!

I've been speaking with a "pro breeder", and he suggested holding her head with my thumb and index instead of the sides of the neck, and wrapping as to prevent injuries in the wings.

About clipping... I'm going to breed them in a aviary, so I think it may not be wise in this case. In addition, she has bred last year in a aviary too, and flying so I fear it could affect breeding too. Anyway, thanks for pointing out this possibility.

And sorry to dissapoint you, but no Steve Irwin in this case, I was wearing gloves. I've received enough bites from lovebirds, and comparing sizes... thanks... but no, thanks! I've felt her well enough trough the gloves. Even her former owner (the one who bred her) wore gloves to catch her.

Maybe I just need some more experience and self confidence catching them, but I wanted to be sure I was holding them OK just to avoid injuries on them.

About the film-star herself... she's fine! Yesterday she ate normally and was quick when moving. Only thing that worries me is that she doesn't preen, so her feathers look a little bit messy. Even tried spraying some warm water over her and no way

Thanks for your help so far!!!

Rgrds / Pablo

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:01 am

Ahhh... breeder, aviary birdies... ok, we are all sober today.

Yes, clipping wouldnt be good then, in case one needs to escape a grumpy mate.

Sorry your first thread was so wacked... we were all drunk and on crack that day.

We are in a program though.

Just fell off the wagon on your post.

pabloc · Post by **pabloc** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:16 am

Mikaela wrote:ok, we are all sober today.

Speak for yourself :wink:

Nah! Just joking! You've been kind to me. That's appreciated.

Yes, clipping wouldnt be good then, in case one needs to escape a grumpy mate.

Very much like humans!!! I think in this case the female is dominant, as the male shivers every time she squawks, and as the green female, she always steal the male's peanuts :lol:

Let's see if they like the aviary. If everything is OK, monday or tuesday I'll release them and will show you the pics!

I'm eager to see chicks in the nest!!! My intention is to handfed at least 1 and keep it for myself as puppie!

Thanks for your support!

Rgrds / Pablo

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:35 am

We look forward to your adventure :!:

Ahhh, personality... Yay! 'Speak for yourself' heh

Pics

CatsChair · Post by **CatsChair** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:35 pm

Glad to hear she is doing well! Maybe we will have to schedule a group field trip to come visit your aviary (just kidding, don't panic).

pabloc · Post by **pabloc** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:49 am

Hey! You're welcome to come visit me!

Rgrds / Pablo