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Going outside in winter?

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Going outside in winter?

Postby Rick » Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:14 am

I would very much like to take my senegal outside with me on dog walks etc as a regular routine. However I live in the UK and it's getting cold outside so I don't want his first experiences to be filled with negativity and discomfort so I haven't tried it yet, I was just wondering if people take their birds out in the cold? I might try just a short trip if the sun is out and it isn't windy just so he has some experiences before having to wait months for it to warm up again.

FYI my senegal is only 17 weeks old and after being rewarded for not biting the harness as a toy he has been good with it. I haven't really continued this though as after he stopped biting it he was fine with me putting it on but I want him to associate it going on with a pleasant experience of going on an adventure to see the outside world instead of it being something he has to endure indoors for no reason. So it's only been on him properly twice and although I am extremely happy with the fast progress he made it's also on my mind that if I don't keep him regularly socialised with it then we will have to start all over again.
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Re: Going outside in winter?

Postby Pajarita » Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:13 pm

Well, personally, I don't agree with taking birds out for walks - I think it's too stressful for them and one of my 'things' with parrots is to reduce the inevitable stress caused by captivity to the minimum level possible. But, even if I agreed with the practice, I would not recommend it for a baby. Parrots are highly altricial animals - so much so that they are born with undeveloped eyes and they need the darkness of the nest to fully achieve good vision. On top of that and with the few exceptions of migrating species [which are all becoming rapidly extinct], they are not 'explorers'. They are born, live and die in the same exact territory the flock has been occupying for generations. They do move to another location if the flock grows so large that the territory can no longer sustain it but we are talking a large number of birds together - not a single bird perching on a human shoulder. And we are talking about moving to a location that sounds and looks the same as the one they had been occupying. To a pet parrot, its 'territory' is the human home where he lives and the street, with its completely different look, sounds, smells and inhabitants is a strange, dangerous place. They do get used to it but the inuring process is stressful in itself so, if you have your heart set on doing this, I suggest you wait until your bird is, at the very least, a 'teenager' and that you do it very, very gradually and slowly.
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Re: Going outside in winter?

Postby Rick » Thu Nov 09, 2017 7:26 pm

That's interesting I haven't heard that point of view before, all the experiences I have read or videos I have seen encourage it. I just thought it would be a good way to stimulate him by seeing wild birds and getting the sunshine and generally being rexposed to the natural world. It would also be good for him to meet new people because I live alone and don't really invite anyone over regularly so he isn't going to get much exposure. So far he hasn't shown any fear even when I collected him so I think he will be a good candidate but yes I will take it very slow, if he doesn't enjoy it I won't push it because it would only be for his benefit anyway not mine because I would actually hate the attention he would bring.

(ps it would be through quiet woodland not a high street so only a few dog walkers)
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Re: Going outside in winter?

Postby seagoatdeb » Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:26 pm

I take my Red Belly out with me and she absolutely loves to go out. She is quite the extrovert and really shows how much she love being out with me. But i would not take her out in the cold, unless it was an emergency. Even in a car what if you broke down and they get to cold. i will put her inside my jacket to run next door in the winter, she keeps warm and loves to go. My Meyers is more shy. he likes to go next door to visit my daughter and her parrots but he is often cautious about new things, that make strange noises, or strange movements, so trips are at a minimum for him. New toys are what makes him the happiest, but going out is what makes my Red Belly the happiest. so if you are thinking of taking your parrot out. Make sure the weather is good and you have a parrot that enjoys going out.
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Re: Going outside in winter?

Postby Michael » Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:51 pm

There's no advantage to making your first outing in the late fall because you won't be able to keep it going and the bird will forget by spring. Instead focus on getting the bird used to he home, foods, people, and stuff like that for now. Do some harness practice over the winter and wait for short sleeve weather in the spring before you start going out. For a bird that has gradually adjusted to the cold, long sleeve (but no jacket) weather can be ok but not for initially starting out.
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Re: Going outside in winter?

Postby Rick » Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:47 pm

OK thanks for the advice I will wait for warmer times
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