Get the shackle off?

[macbrush]

Spencer comes with a shackle on his leg (I have never chained him), and now he trusted me enough to handle him, I am thinking to get it off. Have anyone got experience on this? I am tempted to just towel him and get them off with wrenches quickly. Do you guys think it is better to bring him to a vet to take the shackle off?

[christie]

Is it a shackle or his leg band?

[macbrush]

It is a shackle with a swivel attached to it, the band is on the other leg.

[liz]

I had to get a man's help to get Rambo's band off. It was just a little band but it took two of us with heavy wire cutters. Don't try it on your own take it to the vet. You could injure your bird's leg.

[christie]

It is a shackle with a swivel attached to it, the band is on the other leg.

Well, how is he when you restrain him? If he will calmly let you do it yourself, then I think that will be ok. I would hate to have him overstressed by it though. If you don't think you can do it alone (or with someone who can hold while you clip or vice versa) and quickly with little stress or struggling, then I would say take him to the vet so they can quickly get him in a towel and clip it off, then bring him back to you to be the "hero" who takes him home..... I'm worried about possible injury if not restrained properly during removal.

I hate hearing he has a shackle on! Poor little guy! I hope you are able to get it off him soon!

[macbrush]

I like the sound of the hero thing , so I am going to take him to a vet soon.

[DustyTheGrey]

A shackle! geez thats not cool, I think you should take him to the vet to get it removed..

[sidech]

This should be done by a professional. Don't attempt to do it yourself, the risk of injuries is too high.

[liz]

What have you done about the shackle?

[macbrush]

I visited an avian vet, and he actually recommended only to cut off the swivel, and that's what I let him do. He said that the shackle is more comfortable then the band, the bird could hardly feel it. And if the bird is used to it, there is no point getting it off, just cut off the swivel to make sure no one can chain the bird at will, and also so that there is nothing to get caught on anything which would otherwise struggling the bird.