FINCHforum

I finally caught this little guy! Oh my gosh is he FAST. His leg band is down around his foot and I am not sure what to do. I can't seem to slide it either way. What do you guys think? Maybe some oil might help it move but before I try anything else, I thought I'd see if anyone had a better suggestion. He perches with his little leg raised up.

That looks like a plastic split band? If so, and if you have a pair of cuticle nippers or something similar, you can just cut it off. Take your time, do a little nip at a time, and you will soon have it off.

Sally, I will definitely try that! I don't think it's a split band but I can probably nip a bit at a time and get it off. He wiggles and bites. LOL! Feisty little guy! Thanks

Whew! I got it off of his foot. Sally, it was a split band. It took me about 15 minutes snipping a bit at a time but it's off and he is almost using his foot normally again.

Procedure table Trusted Assistant (not really! She would eat him in one gulp if she could. She was banned to the house until he was safely back in his cage.) The band. A little worse for the wear. He's the one hanging on the side. He and his cage mate will stay in the hospital cage for a bit.

Shannylee So glad you got that band off, he should be just fine now. When those bands do slip down around the toes, they can cripple the bird if we can't get them off.

Shannylee

Good work!! It's nerve wracking when you arent used to restraining such little tiny bodies. Boosts one's confidence when you save the day!

Shannylee

I LOVE your dog! And those ears...looks like she's ready to fly away with the birds

Shannylee well done for getting the ring off of the bird, I know you've been wanting to catch the bird up and deal with that ring for some time but you finally done it

Incidentally it would be very handy if you can purchase the little tool that is normally used to put and take off the rings,

it's normally basically just a small piece of aluminium that is similar in shape to a spatula or if you picture the end of a tea spoon but with a little deeper depressing which is where the foot would lie in,

With this small and very simple tool it makes things so much easier if you ever have a similar experience and also if you ever have birds in the avairy which need to be identified then it's a simple case of putting a coloured ring on a birds leg

Thank you all! It was definitely nerve wracking for me and the little mannikin. He kept biting me. Poor little guy. He finally settled and I got the band off. I definitely need the band tool!!

My dog, Bea (Beatrix)...she licks her lips whenever I have a bird in hand. She is a rescue and had major issues of her own but is the best dog ever. Border collie mix. I adore her and her wonky donkey ears. LOL!

So, the little mannikin slipped out of the cage when I was cleaning it about 2 hours after I got the band off. OMG...seriously??!!! I had to, quickly, close the porch door and net him. He's back in his hospital cage chattering happily with his buddy but he had quite a day.

And...I got a new flight cage today! YAY!

Shannylee

Excellent Sharon, glad that yer Mannikin is now ok,

is also good that you got a new flight cage, it gives you that little more options as regards to moving a few birds about etc so that they can be kept and housed safely from any troublesome birds,

I've always learnt that one can never have enough cages

Sharon so glad you were able to get the band off. I also think you're assistant is a cutie !! Flight cages are great to have. Sounds like there is never a dull moment at you're house