Harness choice and training?

[ScreamBuddies]

I have a baby cockatiel that ive been raising since hatch. I really wanna take hom outside on walks so he can experiance the world. Hes currently 1.5 months old but looks like just 1 month. Ive heard the easiest way to harness train is to put it on the baby for feedings and take it off when youre done. When should i start?

I also know nothing about harnesses. Initially i didnt like the concept of harnesses but it has grown on me since. Only problem is that I live in Poland and specific supplies are very limited. I looked on a website i always buy things on (that being allegro- not sure if it operates elsewhere) and I only found those cheap looking ones. After looking it up on google i found something more promising on a polish website called parrot planet. Pictures below, i can also provide links and can try to translate the descriptions

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

Are you able to get the aviator harness? If you can, it's probably the best harness you can get.

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

I found this one, it should work if you find a way to close the side the leash does not attach to.

Smycz NIEBIESKA dla jaszczurki żółwia ptaka papugi - 9239504053 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro

Informacje o Smycz NIEBIESKA dla jaszczurki żółwia ptaka papugi - 9239504053 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakończenia 2020-06-19 - cena 29,99 zł

allegro.pl

 

[ScreamBuddies]

I found this one, it should work if you find a way to close the side the leash does not attach to.

Smycz NIEBIESKA dla jaszczurki żółwia ptaka papugi - 9239504053 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro

Informacje o Smycz NIEBIESKA dla jaszczurki żółwia ptaka papugi - 9239504053 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakończenia 2020-06-19 - cena 29,99 zł

allegro.pl

I was a little sceptical on that one since its marketed as fitting lizards, turtles, and parrots, it just seems sketchy... The aviator one is really expensive and ive seen everyone recommend it so i assume its the best choice. Time to really spend alot, im going to buy a cage for about 350zł and now the harness at 170zł...oh well, birds are expensive and I knew that when getting them

 

[Ali]

170zł

That is about 35 pounds, which is the price of the aviator everywhere...
And that cage seems pretty cheap... how big is it?

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

In the US it costs 35 dollars, so that doesn't sound too bad.

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

im going to buy a cage for about 350zł

What cage are you getting? I assume it's for your little guy? Converted it would be about 90 us dollars, which is a deal for a good cage in the US.

 

[Ali]

About 75 quid over here, so very cheap!

 

[ScreamBuddies]

That is about 35 pounds, which is the price of the aviator everywhere...
And that cage seems pretty cheap... how big is it?

What cage are you getting? I assume it's for your little guy? Converted it would be about 90 us dollars, which is a deal for a good cage in the US.

The thing is...1 euro/us dollar costs 4 złotych. If I were to buy something that costs 4 euro it would be pretty cheap in euro, but for me it would be 20 złotych. Everything turns extremely expensive, sadly I assume that's what's going on with the harness. dollars are more expensive, but the value of the item still stays at 30 in whatever currency you're using. However, if they're buying the harness from a seller, it's for 30 (lets say) euro, so 120 złotych + added cost for them to actually make a profit. I hope i explained it well. I found another website that sells the harness for 120zł with shipping.

As for the cage, I'm still not 100% sure. The one I liked sold out and I'm left with one that's 78 x 48 x 81 cm. Do you think it's good? It's for just one bird that will be outside for most the time...If it's better than my current cage for my pair I might have to rehouse them, which isn't too healthy for them but it's for their own good and will make them happier in the long run. We'll see, again, I'm still choosing and might find a better one

here's the link if you wanna see:

Oferta nie istnieje - Allegro.pl

allegro.pl

On a side note, I know that the wider the better, but I swear to god, every darn cage is either tall or completely round at the top

 

[Ali]

I would say that is a pretty good cage for a single cockatiel. Especially if it is out most of the day.

 

[ScreamBuddies]

I would say that is a pretty good cage for a single cockatiel. Especially if it is out most of the day.

Do you see anything wrong with it? Asking out of curiosity and so I can prepare beforehand. I imagine the baby to be my little sweetheart (since he already is the absolute sweetest) so he'll be out with me at all times when I'm home. Only concern could be school or when I'm away shopping, etc. so I don't think he needs a massive cage. I'll put in more toys when I figure out what he likes. Also, does anyone know when to start converting him to solid food? Hes still too young so I haven't researched yet

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

Do you see anything wrong with it? Asking out of curiosity and so I can prepare beforehand. I imagine the baby to be my little sweetheart (since he already is the absolute sweetest) so he'll be out with me at all times when I'm home. Only concern could be school or when I'm away shopping, etc. so I don't think he needs a massive cage. I'll put in more toys when I figure out what he likes.

That cage looks pretty good, but it would be best to replace the food cups with ones that go higher on the cage. (stainless steel is best, but I don't know how much that would cost for you) Also, getting natural and rope prches to replace the dowels, or just putting the dowels at the bottom, and the better perches up high so he uses the dowels less.

The thing is...1 euro/us dollar costs 4 złotych. If I were to buy something that costs 4 euro it would be pretty cheap in euro, but for me it would be 20 złotych. Everything turns extremely expensive, sadly

I've never been good at understanding things like that

That's too bad that everything is more expensive for you

Also, does anyone know when to start converting him to solid food? Hes still too young so I haven't researched yet

@Tiel Feathers ?

 

[Ali]

Do you see anything wrong with it? Asking out of curiosity and so I can prepare beforehand. I imagine the baby to be my little sweetheart (since he already is the absolute sweetest) so he'll be out with me at all times when I'm home. Only concern could be school or when I'm away shopping, etc. so I don't think he needs a massive cage. I'll put in more toys when I figure out what he likes. Also, does anyone know when to start converting him to solid food? Hes still too young so I haven't researched yet

Not really. Just the dowel perches and really low food bowls like @Kiwi's Mom mentioned...

You can get little food bowls that just cling to the side of a cage

 

[ScreamBuddies]

Not really. Just the dowel perches and really low food bowls like @Kiwi's Mom mentioned...

You can get little food bowls that just cling to the side of a cage

That cage looks pretty good, but it would be best to replace the food cups with ones that go higher on the cage. (stainless steel is best, but I don't know how much that would cost for you) Also, getting natural and rope prches to replace the dowels, or just putting the dowels at the bottom, and the better perches up high so he uses the dowels less.



I've never been good at understanding things like that

That's too bad that everything is more expensive for you



@Tiel Feathers ?

My guess is that the bowls can be relocated. Even if, I have steel bowls for my birds so that's what I'm getting either way. My dad is a woodworker (is that the word?) so I have no issues with natural perches I'll get 2 rope perches this time, I only got 1 for my birds and they seem to really like it. Plus there's always the added bonus of customizing it's shape and attaching it wherever you like. I'll still have to buy toys but I have some in mind. Should I buy the cage already, or should I wait?

 

[Ali]

Should I buy the cage already, or should I wait?

Up to you!

What other bird species do you have?

 

[ScreamBuddies]

Up to you!

What other bird species do you have?

Only birds i have currently are 3 cockatiels and 2 sparrows i rescued

 

[Ali]

Only birds i have currently are 3 cockatiels and 2 sparrows i rescued

Java sparrows?

 

[Shezbug]

I have not read this whole thread but I’d be very concerned about that harness for use on a bird. I mean it may work but I seriously would want to see how it fits and where exactly it sits on the bird etc before buying it to use on a bird.

 

[ScreamBuddies]

Java sparrows?

Oh, no, common sparrows from my backyard. Their nest fell during a really windy day so we took them in when they were almost completely naked

I have not read this whole thread but I’d be very concerned about that harness for use on a bird. I mean it may work but I seriously would want to see how it fits and where exactly it sits on the bird etc before buying it to use on a bird.

The aviator harness? Its been recommended by people not just on this thread and thats what Im deciding to go with. I dont live in an area with many shops at all and the closest one is really small and an hour ago. Its mainly for cats and dogs as all petshops here are and only has a few toys, seeds and vitamins for birds, so I cant exactly go and try them out or even hold them...Those chinese harnesses from the other website just seem so cheap and I honestly wouldnt even use them inside

 

[Shezbug]

I was talking about the pic I saw in your link..... the aviator is what I have for Burt and is definitely secure. Another popular one is the Avian web harness.