Foot chain.

[donkeyoatay]

When I had my last CAG 35yrs ago Snodgrass spent most of his time out of his cage. From the very beginning I trained him to use a chain which was clipped on to a shackle that was permantly round his foot. He went everywhere with me like that. I used to teach people to water sky and spent many years on the beach 8hrs a day. Snodgrass was with me all the time sitting on a perch under an umbrella amusing my clients with his constant chatter and antics.

When not on the beach he still accompanied me sitting on my shoulder. Always with the chain attached. I never had a problem with this method and can honestly say that it did not caused him any discomfort.

I have searched this site for reference to using a foot chain but could not find one. I would appreciate hearing from members with their views on this subject. I have considered purchasing a harness for Pancho my baby CAG but am holding off as I think that it would cause him stress putting it on everyday.

Comments please!

[dmd2106]

thank goodness things have changed over the last 35 years then,,,,,,,,,,,,,
use a harness if trained correctly it will not stress your bird have a look at the "aviator"

[angela13rl]

They say not to use foot chains anymore do to the fact the numerous birds ended up with broken legs because of the chain. I read one story where the bird was left on his playstand while they left the house to run some errands. They had been leaving him like this for the past 15 years with no problems. When the returned home they found their poor bird hand upside down and dead. He apparently got spooked by something and tried to fly off and ended winding the chain around himself over and over.
Angela

[karine]

Chain is an old fashioned-we know better type of restraining. Your Grey is NOT an elephant!!!

[krrbl123]

hi, i was thinking of getting a harness for my baby cag. but can this stress the bird taking him out on this, i thought parrots get stressed even if you move there cage.  it would be great if they dont mind because we have a tiki bar at the end of our garden with palms and a couple of plastic parrots lol but it would be nice to take soobie up there when we are entertaining.

[krrbl123]

oops i think i should of posted the last one in the harness post lol

[NerfGunWarHero]

If you start a grey with lots of different experiences at a young age then being put on a harness can be very enjoying for them, not wearing the harness, but being out and about with its owner can be very fun. You just have to get them use to it slowly, and help them realize that wearing the harness means they get to go on fun adventures.

[donkeyoatay]

OK guys. I have decided to get an Aviator and give it a try. I apologise if this has been asked 1000 times before but would a user please confirm what size  I must buy for my 18wk old CAG.

[NerfGunWarHero]

It depends on his size, how much does he weigh?

[donkeyoatay]

Thanks for the input. I have never weighed a bird before. How is this best done. I can't imagine being able to get Pancho to sit an a pair of scales while I take a reading.

[NerfGunWarHero]

I don't know where you live, but I got a good scale at walmart. The only way to weigh them is just getting them to sit on the scale, normally birds are weighed in grams. You could make it game, sit on the scale, get a yummy treat, and if you are having too much trouble getting him on the scale, a vet would have a scale to weigh him too.

[donkeyoatay]

Ok I have got a scale ready and hopefully I will have tempted Pancho on to it during the day. FMI, what is an average weight for a 4/5 month CAG.

[donkeyoatay]

Ok I have got a scale ready and hopefully I will have tempted Pancho on to it during the day.

Well that was not to difficult. Pancho thought it was a new game and I got him to step up on to the scales within about 5 mins. He weighs in the region of 440/450 grams. I couldn't be exact as he was trying to play all the time.

Hopefully this is enough information to now know what size harness I should order.

[dmd2106]

you need a medium, that suits 425-600 grams

but now the big choice for you both "what colour"

dave

[NerfGunWarHero]

neon pink?