leg band!

WRX DEMON · 12-20-2003, 07:49 AM

hEY, my folks just bought a new cockatiel from pet shop - and the new guy has a leg band - Ricky and Suzy have taken kindly to him, grooming him and such - but the main question i have is, how do i remove the leg band? My folks dont like seeing anything in any kind of bondage, even leg bands - the feel that it's cruel. I know that its there to help you reclaim the pet if it flies away, but this new guy cant fly...

How do i remove the leg band? Its kinda loose.

**Sheve** · 12-20-2003, 09:24 AM

Maybe he can't fly right now, but the minute you turn your back, open a door, forget he's on your shoulder or head and thus give him access to outdoors -- he's gone.

A leg band is no more bondage for a bird than a medic alert bracelet is for a human. It's for his protection and for your peace of mind. I would leave it on.

**adey12** · 12-20-2003, 10:44 AM

i agree with sheve dark leave the leg band on.

**Kalvin** · 12-20-2003, 12:38 PM

Unless it's causing discomfort to the bird then there's no need to remove it. If you really want it off then an avian vet will be able to help you.

Rings are quite useless as identification for a lost bird, if someone finds your bird and wants to keep it the ring can easily be removed. Microchipping is quite cheap these days and is pretty much 100% safe.

**adey12** · 12-21-2003, 01:24 AM

What kind of a monster would keep some ones pet

but at least micro chipping prevents that

**CruelAngel** · 12-21-2003, 02:13 AM

My dogs and Cats are chipped...but I just can't imagine it on a bird..or at least a Tiel...

Is is extra tiny or..where do they put it on them?

**Kalvin** · 12-21-2003, 03:23 AM

They put it in the breast muscle of the bird, it's the same size for all animals about the size of a small grain of rice. The smallest bird they recommend doing is a lovebird I think.

**DizzyDezzy** · 12-21-2003, 02:00 PM

What kind of a monster would keep some ones pet

cockatiels can cover about three miles a day when flying, and don't stay around their old neighbourhood for more than about 3 days if that... thye go, and they just go... so after a week, when the tiel is found some 30 miles away, the owners often can not be found, since nobody looks tat far away

microchipping only works if the person who finds the bird takes it to a vet or a shelter, who happen to be smart enough to check for a microchip (most wouldn't think to check on a small bird).

WRX DEMON · 12-22-2003, 06:06 PM

So.... It cant be removed by me? IS there any way i can remove the band without hurting the animal?

**featherjinxer** · 12-22-2003, 06:53 PM

If you decide you need to remove it, I would have a vet do so.
The bird may have to tranquilized or anestisized to do so.

Birds are banded before their feet are fully grown- they slip the band on the foot, usually before two weeks of age. Once the bird is grown, the band is too small to slip back off the foot. To get it off, you will need to be able to cut it off, or bend it with pliers (depending on the band). I say the bird will probably need some drugs to keep him still because whatever meathod is used to remove the band, you don't wnat the bird suddenly moving, and perhaps being hurt accidentally!