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Harness training and moulting

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Harness training and moulting

Postby Charl » Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:49 pm

Hi everyone,

I am currently training my young cockatiel, Murray, to take to her aviator harness. So far she has responded well to training - she flies to her perch, returns to my hand, targets and is just learning how to wave and spread her wings on command. She will also put her head through the harness for a bite of millet.

However, she is in the middle of her first moult and had a few pin feathers in her crest. Most times she pulls her head back herself, and a couple of times (just once or twice) she has squawked. At first I thought she was just cranky (it's not her favourite "trick!") but now I'm wondering if she's catching a tender pin feather on the strap?!

Have any of you had this experience with your cockatiels/cockatoos/even other parrots and do you think it's worth stopping the training while she moults to avoid any bad associations with the harness?

Charlotte
Charl
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Re: Harness training and moulting

Postby Wolf » Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:29 am

I would hold off on the harness until she finishes her moult.
Wolf
Macaw
 
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Re: Harness training and moulting

Postby marie83 » Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:10 am

Wolf wrote:I would hold off on the harness until she finishes her moult.


What wolf said, those pin feathers can be very tender. Ollie very clearly makes it known if I catch one accidently and I feel harness training is hard enough as it is without catching pins.
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marie83
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Re: Harness training and moulting

Postby Charl » Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:30 am

Thanks guys. I think I will hold off - after all, she has her whole life to harness train and I wouldn't want it to hurt her.
Charl
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Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 10
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Types of Birds Owned: Cockatiel
Flight: Yes

Re: Harness training and moulting

Postby felicity » Wed Mar 22, 2017 8:40 am

I've just bought a sweet little conure, how should I get her used to a bird harness without it being frightening experience for her? Anyone have any helpful hints? Thanks. :redbelly:
felicity
Parakeet
 
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Re: Harness training and moulting

Postby Pajarita » Wed Mar 22, 2017 3:23 pm

Look at the Wizard's video and keep in mind that the most important thing with this kind of stuff is to follow the bird's pace in learning.
Pajarita
Norwegian Blue
 
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