Harness Safety

08-22-2008, 08:42 PM

Kita gets to go outside, but only in her aviary because she's flighted. I've been wrestling with the idea of putting a harness on her to take her outside for a walk or a fly. I have an Aviator harness and I know she would be fine about me putting it on her. The part I'm wrestling with is...are they really safe? Will it stay on even if she flies?

08-22-2008, 09:20 PM

Karen, They are designed stay on as a bird flys, my only concern is where they can be chewed through. I wish they were made of Kevlar to provide that extra protection.

08-22-2008, 10:05 PM

Karen - They are a false sense of security with the stronger of the large birds. Red can destroy one before I can blink. He actually sheers the sliders or clips right off. Really depends on the bird.

08-22-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdyland

Karen - They are a false sense of security with the stronger of the large birds. Red can destroy one before I can blink. He actually sheers the sliders or clips right off. Really depends on the bird.

They can destroy the clips quickly, I use the harness for short trips and keep them very busy when out so they don't want to play with their harness. It is worth a try and start with short trips out and see how it goes. It does depend on the bird.

08-22-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdyland

Karen - They are a false sense of security with the stronger of the large birds. Red can destroy one before I can blink. He actually sheers the sliders or clips right off. Really depends on the bird.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Blues

They can destroy the clips quickly, I use the harness for short trips and keep them very busy when out so they don't want to play with their harness. It is worth a try and start with short trips out and see how it goes. It does depend on the bird.

This is what worries me. I REALLY don't want her to pull a "Look Mom, NO harness!" stunt.

08-22-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen

This is what worries me. I REALLY don't want her to do a "Look Mom, NO harness!" stunt.

If you keep your eye on her while she is with you and keep her walking, flying and entertained you shouldn't have a problem. Shadow wants to chew on the rings when I am putting it on him, but after we start our journey outside he is fine. You might want to harness her and walk her through the house first and see how it goes.

08-24-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen

I have an Aviator harness and I know she would be fine about me putting it on her. The part I'm wrestling with is...are they really safe? Will it stay on even if she flies?

I wholeheartedly agree with the cautions and warnings given here about the other brands. However, the Aviator brand harness doesn't have the snaps, clips and rings that the others have. And that is the main reason I use that particular brand. I have had no trouble at all with the Aviator brand. The only thing I ever worry about is that elastic type leash attached to it that could be chewed into by one of my macaws.

08-24-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen

This is what worries me. I REALLY don't want her to pull a "Look Mom, NO harness!" stunt.

This is why I chose to teach Peanut recall. It is a very quick trick, sleight of beak.

08-24-2008, 06:15 PM

I wonder why someone hasn't developed a kevlar version for Macaws and such? Might be a market niche there.

08-25-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macawlvr

I wholeheartedly agree with the cautions and warnings given here about the other brands. However, the Aviator brand harness doesn't have the snaps, clips and rings that the others have. And that is the main reason I use that particular brand. I have had no trouble at all with the Aviator brand. The only thing I ever worry about is that elastic type leash attached to it that could be chewed into by one of my macaws.

James, Red broke his aviator in about half a second flat.