Dear Parrots magazine,
Leg chains
I know there has been quite a lot of discussion about leg chains on parrots when they’re taken outside with their owners and I can understand the concern that some people have. I have an Orange-wing that I take out on occasion with a harness, and I only have a fairly short lead on it in case she decides to take off. On such occasions I’ve never had a problem with her as she is very steady and sometimes just gets a little jittery if she sees something that might alarm her, but nothing that has worried me.
However it was recently when I was walking in a park that is a few miles away that I came across a woman I have never seen before with a Senegal on her shoulder, but restrained with a fairly long chain. The chain wasn’t what I would describe as heavy, but I was alarmed when this bird decided to make a break for it. I think it took the woman a bit by surprise as it flew off, but then the chain tightened and yanked it back and it fluttered to the ground. I have to say I was very concerned that it was injured, but it did seem to be okay and the woman soon recovered it back onto her shoulder.
I could not resist getting involved and telling her this chain was totally unsuitable and if she was willing to let the bird fly off, she should get a lead with an elasticated section, which will stop a sudden jolt, I think I have seen them advertised somewhere and they do seem to be quite effective, but I stand to be corrected.
I just wish some people would take more notice what is written about taking their birds outside when they could possibly make small flights without problems. It might be worth looking at some of the ads over the years in this magazine when these items have been advertised.
Veronica Welling, by email