Principles Restraint and Procedure for Restraint in Birds
Principles Restraint
When it comes to physical restraint of a bird, the ultimate goal is to cause the least amount of stress to your bird as possible. As a result, knowing how to safely restrain your bird is a must.
There are three important principles regarding bird restraint that owners must be aware of:
1. Birds have no muscular diaphragm to help them breathe, so they rely on active movements of the ribcage to draw and expel air to and from the lungs. Grasping a bird too tightly can severely restrict its breathing ability, and could lead to death through suffocation.
2. Birds, especially overweight budgerigars, can experience a phenomenon known as cardiac racing if they are extremely stressed or frightened. The heart rate in these birds can increase to such a high level that the heart itself can’t pump blood properly, and death can result. As a result, certain measures should be taken to ease excitement as much as possible.
3. Birds that are exhibiting signs of illness are poor candidates for any kind of restraint, except when needed for treatment. These birds are already so stressed out that even the slightest anxiety attack could lead to death.
Procedure for Restraint
Before reaching into a cage or carrier to capture a bird, be sure that all toys, perches, and bowls have been removed. Also, make certain all doors and windows in the room are closed. For smaller birds, dimming the room lights can help immensely in their capture, since most are reluctant to fly in the dark.
Camouflage your hand when capturing a bird to prevent it from becoming hand-shy in the future. A towel, or for larger birds, a pair of welders gloves works just fine. Reach into the cage slowly and intently, waiting until the bird grasps the cage bars with its beak as it tries to avoid your approach. Then grasp the bird’s head between your thumb and forefinger. Let the bird chew on the towel if it chooses. Remember: The key to capturing and handling pet birds is to gain control of the head right from the start.
For small birds, gently cradle the body with your remaining fingers and the palm of your hand. For large birds, wrap them up completely in a towel, leaving their head exposed, yet under the control of your hand. Keeping the birds in an upright position will facilitate their breathing
( source vet-zone )
When it comes to physical restraint of a bird, the ultimate goal is to cause the least amount of stress to your bird as possible. As a result, knowing how to safely restrain your bird is a must.
There are three important principles regarding bird restraint that owners must be aware of:
1. Birds have no muscular diaphragm to help them breathe, so they rely on active movements of the ribcage to draw and expel air to and from the lungs. Grasping a bird too tightly can severely restrict its breathing ability, and could lead to death through suffocation.
2. Birds, especially overweight budgerigars, can experience a phenomenon known as cardiac racing if they are extremely stressed or frightened. The heart rate in these birds can increase to such a high level that the heart itself can’t pump blood properly, and death can result. As a result, certain measures should be taken to ease excitement as much as possible.
3. Birds that are exhibiting signs of illness are poor candidates for any kind of restraint, except when needed for treatment. These birds are already so stressed out that even the slightest anxiety attack could lead to death.
Procedure for Restraint
Before reaching into a cage or carrier to capture a bird, be sure that all toys, perches, and bowls have been removed. Also, make certain all doors and windows in the room are closed. For smaller birds, dimming the room lights can help immensely in their capture, since most are reluctant to fly in the dark.
Camouflage your hand when capturing a bird to prevent it from becoming hand-shy in the future. A towel, or for larger birds, a pair of welders gloves works just fine. Reach into the cage slowly and intently, waiting until the bird grasps the cage bars with its beak as it tries to avoid your approach. Then grasp the bird’s head between your thumb and forefinger. Let the bird chew on the towel if it chooses. Remember: The key to capturing and handling pet birds is to gain control of the head right from the start.
For small birds, gently cradle the body with your remaining fingers and the palm of your hand. For large birds, wrap them up completely in a towel, leaving their head exposed, yet under the control of your hand. Keeping the birds in an upright position will facilitate their breathing
( source vet-zone )
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