Dangerous clips

[Barbara]

I am not sure where I saw someone using these hair clips to clip a Millett in there finch cage,I saw it and loved the idea so I put one in each of my finch cages and my keets cage,now I know the keets foot is a little bigger then finches but wanted to share the story of watching my birds off and on sat.I was watching the keets Bogart and Valentino happily eating there Millett together I clipped it on there sun deck made it so they could eat it at the same time seemed to be working fine.I did a few things and came back to notice Bogart was done but Valentino was still there but really not eating and when I looked closer his toe was caught in the clip,he was such a brave boy no screams,and more importantly no BITING me,he let me hold him while I slowly opened clip really couldn't tell what needed to be done but when I opened it I think his foot was caught in between not actually clipped because it was closed tightly around the millett.Well his foot came out and when I let him go he flew to his buddy for affection held it up for a little while and stretched it out a few times all and all it looked ok.Next morning he was fine but took him a few days to go to the other side of the cage and it was sooooo cute when his buddy Bogart when to that side he squaked at him like he was warning him of the danger,I went back to using clothespins on the outside of all the cage and all is fine.So glad it happened when I was home.here is a picture of the clip.Also might of done more damage to a little finches foot

[Stuart whiting]

Barbara

Mmm....very valid and worthy point Barbara,

Must admit it's something that I've often been very cautious of and this goes for any clip of any discription,

I personally would not use any clip at all in any of me cages for this fear,

I've seen to many small finches get caught up by the rings that have sadly caused death to them

I don't even use clips for me drinkers eaither much preferring to use the continental ( Belgium style ) dumpy drinkers,

Incidentally if one is careful not to snap them stem most millet sprays can weave the stem a few times through the cage bars and hold in place for finches although grasskeets may pull the millet off but isn't the end of the world

[Barbara]

Stuart whiting I also try to be very careful with attaching clips for the same reason and certain toys always get chains removed and rope used,do not use clips for cuttlebones,guess I just wasn't thinking when I saw how it worked.wanted to post so everyone could see just in case they were using.I am sooooo glad I was home

[Stuart whiting]

Barbara

I'm so glad that your bird is ok Barbara

Yea can't be to sure these days although I could see the idea behind it,

Thank you for sharing with us,

Incidentally as most of my birds are predominantly finches I now actually grate all of me cuttlefish and put it into there oyster shell or can even put it into their seed or egg food

[Barbara]

Stuart whiting I have done that too, but all of them even my little waxbills love pecking at it and I would think it would be good for there beak,I can hear the gouldian's and society breaking pieces right off,they make a mess but it gives them something to do to get there mind off breeding

[lem2bert]

Barbara

Jeepers !! So glad you were home to catch that. What a great bird not to panic !! . How do you attach your cuddlebone to the cage ??

[Barbara]

lem2bert I don'the want to think about it if I wasnt home but after that experience I went back to the wooden clothespins but on the outside only nothing for cuttlebones an more use to poke a hole thru middle and tie a knot with a rope thru to the back and tie but now I push thru the bars of the cage sidewards as far as it goes they climb up on it it peck away

[lem2bert]

Barbara

Great idea about the cuddlebone.....I am going to have to try that !!