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Post by biteybird on Nov 5, 2015 1:59:33 GMT -5
I've decided to make Bonnie a non-flight outside jacket so she can sit on my shoulder when we go for walks, without the danger of flying off into the wide blue yonder. We tried her in an Aviator flight harness just once, but it didn't go well and now she chucks a hissy fit whenever she sees it (or, as Jan would say, "goes berko"). 
I know that somewhere there was a thread that people mentioned a coat or something, but I can't find it. I am thinking of an easy-close sock-shaped coat, perhaps with built-in magnetic closure at the front, with a D hook on the back and 'bungee' cord attached (in case she falls off my shoulder). I'd just wear a cloth or something on my shoulder for her to cling onto.
Any ideas, anyone? Thanks, in advance! |
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Post by easttex on Nov 5, 2015 4:38:46 GMT -5
I don't think I'd worry too much unless you're going out in really bitingly cold weather. Their downy feathers are remarkable insulators. I've seen modified tubesocks for African greys who pluck. Not much of a fashion statement, but they do the job. It sounds like you envision something with a bit more flair.  I hope you'll post a video of the first time you try to put something on Bonnie.  |
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Post by biteybird on Nov 5, 2015 5:16:59 GMT -5
Thanks Easttex, I guess the only reason I'm considering a coat/jacket is because Bonnie is not clipped and I am scared to take her outside in case she gets startled by something and flies off. So it is more a safety strategy for her, but we'd love to involve her when we go outside (which she does not experience at present). Hmm, I will put my grey cells to work on this...
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Post by easttex on Nov 5, 2015 5:25:38 GMT -5
I'm sorry, biteybird, I didn't read your post very carefully. I have seen little jackets for chickens. They are mostly designed to keep their back feathers from being destroyed by randy roosters. If I can find one of those, I'll post a link. It might help you to design something for Bonnie.
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Post by easttex on Nov 5, 2015 5:32:32 GMT -5
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Post by aaron on Nov 5, 2015 11:35:56 GMT -5
We tried using a sock with a hole cut in it for her head once with Cupcake. It was kind of a sad experiment. She tolerated it being on well enough, but without having her wings to help her balance, she fell over beak-down on the table and got stuck that way. That was the last time we tried that. She looked at us like "Guys, what are you doing to me?".
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Post by julianna on Nov 5, 2015 15:34:53 GMT -5
OMG aaron... that is funny but sad at the same time. Sorry for laughing. The only thing I would recommend is to use Velcro instead of clips as it will be easier to put on and take off.
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Post by aaron on Nov 5, 2015 17:34:44 GMT -5
It was pretty hilarious, in a sad sort of way, yes  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Nov 5, 2015 18:32:09 GMT -5
Have you considered getting one of the soft material bird carriers? You can hook them on your front or back. Shah actually has a bird carrier which is a small cage covered in calico with flaps that open (and close) on 3 sides and a backpack affair on the 4th side. I can carry it by the handle on the top or put it on like a backpack. I ordered it from the US and everyone comments when they see it (which is quite frequently lately).
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Post by aaron on Nov 5, 2015 18:34:05 GMT -5
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Post by biteybird on Nov 6, 2015 1:43:17 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I like the look of the chicken jackets in the BBC link sent by Easttex. I'm undecided about a material carrier or backpack arrangement...I was picturing Bonnie sitting on my shoulder, kind of just 'au naturale'. I will keep ruminating. |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Nov 6, 2015 8:26:35 GMT -5
If you haven't already you could try here: www.flightquarters.com/bird-diapers/SFNT.htmlThey make bird diapers/harnesses but also sweaters and jackets and other things. I have a pigeon who loves to go on walks with me and she wears one of their diaper harnesses that are easy to put on and she doesn't mind it on at all. |
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Post by biteybird on Nov 7, 2015 20:02:42 GMT -5
Oh wow, wsteinhoff, this website is amazing (& amusing!). Thanks very much, it's exactly the type of jacket I was thinking of! I have decided to order one - the only hard thing will be choosing the pattern, as they have so many. According to the website a QP would be 'medium' in size. The fact that the jacket catches poop is also a real bonus. When I saw the term 'bird diaper' I have to admit I cracked up laughing, but the design looks excellent.  I may also end up ordering the bird carriers mentioned by Jan and Aaron (for when we go away camping), as they also look great. |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Nov 7, 2015 20:34:41 GMT -5
Oh wow, wsteinhoff, this website is amazing (& amusing!). Thanks very much, it's exactly the type of jacket I was thinking of! I have decided to order one - the only hard thing will be choosing the pattern, as they have so many. According to the website a QP would be 'medium' in size. The fact that the jacket catches poop is also a real bonus. When I saw the term 'bird diaper' I have to admit I cracked up laughing, but the design looks excellent. I may also end up ordering the bird carriers mentioned by Jan and Aaron (for when we go away camping), as they also look great. They work quite well and are a fairly lightweight soft material similar to spandex. I've also looked at those carriers before too and if you are handy with making things you may want to try building a carrier that will suit your needs the way you'd like as they were quite expensive (or at least they were where I saw them). Since you wear them like a backpack too you wouldn't be able to put on a daypack for hikes because you'd already be carrying that. Maybe design something that would attach to a backpack. My father and I a few years ago designed a lightweight cage to attach to the top of a backpack so that a rescued sparrow (that I had that I couldn't leave home because she was weaning) could go with me on a backpacking trip that I went on with my brothers boy scout troop. She loved it so much that she would go with us on other trips camping, hiking, and backpacking until she unfortunately got sick and died on a sunday night that the vets were all closed. Alex the Backpacking Sparrow was a hit with the Boy Scouts. |
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Post by biteybird on Nov 8, 2015 1:13:14 GMT -5
That sounds like quite a backpacking trip - what a lucky sparrow to go everywhere with her human slaves! I bet she WAS a big hit. I ordered a medium flightpack for Bonnie. It has the flightsuit (silver gray), leash ('rainbow' colour) and a pack of 30 'diapers' (I'm still laughing about this term, just can't help myself! It was on the pricey side, all up about $55.00 Australian ($39.99US) because of postage and the currency conversion, but I am short on time and skills when it comes to making my own...so complacency won out in the end. I'll need to ensure I do the requisite acclimatisation for about a week. They recommend that you hang the flightsuit on your clothes, use it as a play toy with your bird, etc. before even trying to put it on. And have plenty of treats on hand - luckily, Bonnie is VERY food-motivated! When I feel Bonnie is ready I'll put her in the suit and I'll try to get hubby to video it on the iPad...if she lets us. |
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I hope you'll post a video of the first time you try to put something on Bonnie. 
