Aviator Harness

[Kwagga]

Hi there! Has anyone tried the new aviator harness? Or any other harnesses for that matter?

How do you guys feel about using a harness?

Ta!

[Damien.Ashby]

Harness for what?

[Kwagga]

For flying.

[ellieelectrons]

I have an aviator. I haven't been able to successfully train my guys to wear it. I probably started too old.

Ellie.

[Kwagga]

I would love to try it, but it seems they are not available in south africa. Have searched the internet for suppliers, but I will have to order it online.

Rusty is only 10 weeks old, so suppose s/he is a bit young.

[ellieelectrons]

Hmmm, I don't think that would be too young. Probably a good age but you might need to buy the smaller harness first maybe? On the aviator video it tells you to get them used to you stretching their wings & manipulating their wings & used to something sliding over their head. You can start doing this with your hands. Be sure to use positive reinforcement.

Ellie.

[claire31]

Hi Ellie
We've just got the aviator harness and have spent the weekend watching the dvd and other posts on utube. Ollie is 5 months now and very responsive to what ever we show her. Love your video of yours playing basketball by the way. Shes not bad at allowing us to handle her esp my husband hence we think shes a girl. Might try this afternoon to introduce her to the harness, is there anything outside we should be aware of my hubby is worried about lice etc.

[ellieelectrons]

Hi Claire

Best wishes with the harness training. If you have a young bird who is used to being touched then I think it is a much easier task... so good luck! If this is your bird's first time wearing it, I personally wouldn't take them outside at first though.... just see how it goes having a test run inside first.

... and don't be discouraged if you don't get the whole harness fitted in one training session.... but if you do, well done!

Good luck! I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Ellie.

[claire31]

Hi Ellie
Its been a month since i last posted about the aviator harness but have now got the harness on twice only taken a month of getting her used to putting her head thru the head loop and pulling it back out bribery with almond slivers worked wonders this week i just went for it she fidgeted a bit when i was putting her wings thru but once she realised she was outside settled second time i tried it took less than 2 minutes to get it on am so happy have to post 3 more times i think and then i can download some photos.
Hope you and your cute guys are well,
oh you could probably answer a query for me at roughly what age are ringnecks fully grown Ollie is now 6.5 months old and about 14 inches in total length and is weighing about 116gms
cheers
Claire

[ellieelectrons]

Hi Claire

Good job! Well done! It must be great being able to take your little guy out and about with you.

After checking this post: http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... f=4&t=7739
I'd say your bird is fully grown now although won't have full plumage until 3 years (approx.).

See this link for more information too:
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/p ... rakeet.php

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear all is well.

Our two guys are fully flighted now and have been for a few months. I have problems keeping them out of areas that I don't want them to be (eg. Janey likes to get inside the clothes dryer!). I bought a plastic streamer curtain (I don't know what it's called, looks a little like this http://www.koyalwholesale.com/pages-pro ... count.html) and put it in the doorway between the kitchen and the laundry. Every time Janey attempts to go through it she chickens out. She can still get to the laundry the long way but it means they spend less time in there.

Other than that, they are well. I've been a bit slack on the training of late. Our hot water system in the ceiling burst and we ended up with water all through two rooms so I'm moving everything out of the rooms, coordinating trades people to fix the room, etc. (I'm so glad we are insured!).

Ellie.