Our little Chulita (name change due to DNA sexing results) seems to be rather bothered by her leg band. She tends to bite at it a fair amount. I don't see a lot of use in the bands other than possible identification. What do you folks think about the leg bands? Keep them or ditch them? If you vote to ditch them, how is that done, and how difficult is it? I assume it is a job for the vet.

So can you describe a 'fair amount'? Does she seem obsessed with it? Won't leave it alone? Or is it just a few times through out the day she'll play with it?

If she isn't leaving it alone, then it may be best to remove it. But if she's just fiddling with it a few times throughout the day, then I would leave it on for now. Leg bands are SO important for bird identification and in some states, Quakers are required to be banded in order to own them. I do believe Maryland has no restrictions on keeping Quakers, but if there is ever a chance you may have to move....well, it's something to keep in mind.

If you feel that the band must go, then it is a job for an avian vet. The band needs to be cut off (make sure they give it back to you) with cutters. Because of how delicate their leg is, if you put any pressure on the leg itself, you could easily snap it.

Personally, I wouldn't remove a band unless it wasn't fitted properly in the first place (breeder mistake) or unless the bird became fixated on it and wouldn't leave it alone. Again, some nibbling of the band is normal though.

only one of mine has a band on, I thought about removing it but that was a passin thought LOL

You raised some very valid points that I had not thought of. Thank you.
I don't think she is obsessed really, but I just want to keep an eye on it.

Max just picks at his sometimes, but unless he was trying to chew it off, I won't have it removed.
Its got alot of info on it. His birth year, where he came from and stuff.

My Avian Vet took Mr. Kiwi's band off in 2003, she said it wasn't safe. Gidget (green cheek conure) still has hers on. The Vets have not suggested to take hers off, however it wasn't too long ago that she got hers stuck on her knee(the middle of her leg where it bends) scared me to death. It was easily moved, but still scared me....

If there is ever a chance that you will move to Virginia, keep the band on. Unbanded birds are illegal here.

I agree with Carrie-Anne's reply to your question. Can't think of anything else to add. If you do decide to have an avian vet to remove the leg band do be sure to get the band from the vet and keep it in a safe place in case you need it in the future. You never know about governmental changes that can affect you & your bird(s)!

Jess

like carrie~anne said... i live in a state where leg banding is the law! even if it weren't, i'd still leave the band on just in case!

The only reason to take a band off in my opinion is if its ill fitting or if the bird really is insistant about messing with it. A good fitting band should slide easily but not be sloppy so they can't get things caught in it. And if you do choose to have it removed, someone with the proper equipment should be the one to take it off. If its does get taken off, I would strongly urge you to have the bird micro chipped so you have a means for positive idnetification.

It sounds like a closed band. If it was an open end band I would suggest getting it removed by your vet. Because they can get it caught on their cage and break a leg. My dad has a macaw that he had to have a closed band removed because the bird had squeezed it almost flat on its leg.

I am in NY and am pretty sure that keeping birds banded is the law, specicifically with Quakers.

Both my girls have leg bands as well as micro chips. They don't seem to bother much with the leg bands. I mean they chew their feet (to clean their nails) an dI occassionally see them toy with their bands but not really. They are moer into destroying their toys.

I say only remove bands if it is recommended by your vet and if the bird seems uncomfortable.

Sprocket has a leg band. There are times I do feel he pays too much attention to it, and I feel cause for concern, but in the end I am pleased that he is banded...

My cockatiel isn't and I do wish he was as well. My parrotlet isn't, but I was actually happy about that! You know how much these little ones move around? Added to that their small size, and the fact that everything is Huge compared to them gave me cause for alarm.

If I ever get another parrotlet, I think I would have him or her close-banded. I would keep a very, very close eye on the baby throughout it's life though.

Most of my other bird's were close-banded, and I never thought I would own two who weren't! My first cockatiel, my first lovebird, my cockatiel pair, and my lovebird pair all were.

So how does that work if you come from a state with no restrictions and move to one that requires banding? Can you band an older bird?

Also, I'm not familiar with chipping birds. Are they any safety risks with a smaller bird like a quaker, and where exactly do they insert it?

I did ask one vet about this years ago, but he said not to worry about it and it's not something done to adult birds. I actually felt like he blew off the question, maybe he didn't know much about it either. I live in Florida and we don't really have any restrictions with Quakers that I am aware of.