Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I put my bird outside almost every day in the summer.  As a matter a
    fact he is alwready starting to say "Wana go Outside".  I do not let
    him loose though, I do have a cage I hang in a tree right outside the
    kitchen window where I can watch for cats.  He Just loves it.  Every
    now and then when it is hot out I hose him down with the garden hose,
    (very light spray).  He goes crazy.  Loves it.
    
    Roger

	My Macaw is regularly outside almost all summer.
	I use a "ferret leash".  It is made of soft cord,
	with a metal clasp that he loves to chew on.

	I fasten it to his leg.  He does not mind it.
	He does, however, chew on it, of course, he
	chews on everything...I usually run thru two to
	three a summer.

	The Macaw's wings are very clipped for the summer.
	Lots of people have assured me that he would not fly
	away....I DON'T believe them...

	-dick

    I put my birds outside when the weather is nice in the summer.  They
    are finches and of course stay in their cage.  
    
    They love it outside and are already begging to go "out - out". 
    
    They talk to the wild birds and  groove in the sun.  I put their tub on
    the side of the cage and they think they are at the beach!  
    
    However, if I had a larger bird that was allowed outside the cage I
    would not let it go outdoors without supervision!  One cat could do a
    lethal job on a bird!  Plus wild birds might come up to visit and pass
    off some germ to the domestic bird.  I wouldn't chance it!
    
   Regards,
    
    Max and Maggie's Doting Mom
                               

    I bought a ferret leash and Spock loved his outside adventure. It did
    take a few minutes to get Spock to accept the leash, he did not like
    me holding his foot to attach the loop. He was a little afraid out
    on the deck so he stayed close to my chest for protection. You could
    tell that he really enjoyed the sights and sounds, I never saw his eyes
    opened so wide.
    
    I am taking it slow until he get used to being outside. I'm sure that
    after a few more trips he will be picking up his leash and heading for
    the door.
    
    Regards
    Mary Ann

I agree with reply number 1. I wouldn't chance bringing him outside without
keeping him in a cage. Even if the wings are clipped, I've seen many birds
attempt flight and possibly injure themselves in the process. We have taken our
larger birds outside, but ALWAYS in the cage. The fresh air is great for
them and they do love it as long as the temperature is warm enough. The
other danger is cats. They are pretty quick and could pounce on an un-
suspecting bird at any time if you were to turn your back for just a
second. I wouldn't want to take that chance.

Regarding leashes, I can speak from personal experience. I would NEVER put
a leash on a bird because of what it did to our Orange Winged Amazon. He
was 8 years old when we got him and his previous owner kept him on a leash
whenever he was out of the cage. Because of so much yanking on the leash
to keep him in control, he now "favors" his right foot when he walks. He
walks with a limp and he has been off of the leash for 4 years since we
got him. I personally would not use one, but as you can see, other noters
have had good luck.

Whatever works best, I guess.

Regards,

Luanne Buccieri

	Avalon has never pulled or tried to fly with
	his leash....occassionally he will "jump" to the
	ground, but since it is 12 feet long, and I am
	not nearly that tall this has never been a 
	problem....CHEW on it, you bet....

	However, I agree, if he pulled on it and tried
	to fly away from me jerking the leash, I would
	NOT use one, period!

	Outside is for fun, not stress.  I believe that
	janking on the leash to keep the animal in control
	might be good training for a dog, it would be
	terrible for a bird!

	-dick

    The few times that I have used the leash Spock has not pulled or
    tried to escape from the leash.  He did try to fly a few times with the
    leash and all that he did was land on the ground the leash was never
    used to restrain him or to pull him back.
    
    While outside he is riding on my arm or sitting on the deck table I
    would never think of tying him to the deck and leaving him alone with
    the leash. Even if he was in a cage I would not leave him alone
    outside.
    
    Spock is now 6 month old and he has said his first words. He will bark
    like my dog, this really bothers the dog. He also says good morning how
    are you. He will only say the words while in his cage and it sounds
    like he is mumbling under his breath. He will bark when we are watching
    TV, usually when my husband walks passed and tries to pet him.  I can't
    wait for the morning when I uncover his cage and he answers my greating
    with Good Morning How are you.
    
    Mary Ann
    
    

    As our terrace is advantageously situated we can already sit outside,
    at least when it is sunny.
    
    If it is windy I put the cockatoos, Greater Sulpher Crested,
    outside in a large travelling cage.
    Normally they either sit on my shoulder or they walk trough the garden.
    I enjoy watching them wander over the grass, around the pond and
    clamber over all the shrubs and trees. They love it even better and
    it's pretty healthy for them too. They get direct sunlight and they get
    to taste a large variety of nourishments.
    Never do we leave them unattended. This by the way also goes for having
    them on a climbing tree in the house. We do not want them to get to any
    harm and you just cannot plan the unforeseen, can you?
    
    If properly clipped no parrot can take off or gain any hight, just 
    land in a controlled manner.
    Therefore on our own ground no leash will be necessary.
    If, however I would ever go out shopping or so with one on my shoulder
    I would probably fit a short leash for the safety of the bird. 
    Parrots like Cockatoos, African Greys and Macaws are VERY good flyers
    and will need to have all but the two outer fly-feathers trimmed.
    Occasionally an unusually athletic Macaw may even need to have the
    flags cut off these reamining two as well.
    Amazone's, Pionus's, Meiers's and other African Parrots make do with
    all but the outer three trimmmed.
    Try out their flying capabilities thouroughly BEFORE going outside.
    Always be aware that wind will very much influance things. Remember why
    planes take-off with a head wind? Parrots can do too!
    
    Parrots almost all like the occasional "rain" or even like to take a
    bath themselves.
    Be warned however that parrots cannot swim so if one happens to drop
    into the pond it may very well drown once the feathers get soaked.
    
    If you have half a possibility to put them outside, DO SO!
    
    Peter