Budgie in harness?

[Anneke]

I'm just wondering if it is possible to put a harness on a budgie for when you go outside or something. I know you can on bigger parrots, but maybe a budgie is too fragile??
Thanks

[lotus15]

There are companies that will make "Flight Suits" for budgies, but personally, I think that they are dangerous products that should not be used for budgies for exactly the reason you stated-- they are too fragile. My vet is also in agreement with this. The Parrot University, who makes the Aviator Harness, refuses to make harnesses for birds the size of budgies and smaller because they are very, very safety minded and agree that it is not safe to harness such small birds.

[zazanomore]

I've heard similar things. But I've seen ads for homemade budgie flight harnesses, but I wouldn't trust them.

[Anneke]

Do you know whether there is any other way of taking your budgie outside?

[lotus15]

I just use a travel cage Works well for us!

[zazanomore]

I just use a travel cage Works well for us!

That's exactly what I was going to suggest!

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'm not sure I understand why a budgie would be "too fragile", if a harness was made with suitable materials and a suitably "soft" shock cord. If no one is making a good thing, that is one thing, but if properly used, the bird would only ever be creating any stress or pressure itself, so I'm not sure why the size of the bird matters except for properly scaling the design. Am I missing something?

[Michael]

The issue isn't scaling the chords but moreso the stitches, buckles, and connectors. For instance between Kili and Truman's harness, some of the connection are the same. Truman's harness looks very proportionate but the metal connector and stitches look a bit oversized in proportion to Kili's. For a budgie size harness, the stitches would be just too big using the same techniques. Unfortunately, I suspect that a suitable budgie harness (although smaller) would actually cost a lot more than the typical $40 parrot harnesses due to the intricate work required.

I have had the chance to try a budgie harness while Duke was around but it was quite problematic. It's just really hard to put on when the bird/harness are so small and your fingers are so big by comparison. At this point, a wire carrier cage is the best I can recommend.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

...and but it was quite problematic. It's just really hard to put on when the bird/harness are so small and your fingers are so big by comparison.

I guess I can see that. I got Aviators for both Scotty and Scooter, and the neck loop on the Petite is already really tiny. I haven't put it on Scooter yet, I'm still working on getting him comfortable with having it around -- the handling skills were easy, but the physical object is taking some time. I wonder how hard it will be to actually place.

[Skip]

i take my budgie outside with just himself. no travel cage or any thing.