Ankle bracelet bothering budgies

[kaylor]

I got a couple of budgies yesterday and they have metal ankle bands that are bothering them. They try and bite them and shake their feet. Any way to remove them?

[tweetiepiesmom]

I've read that you need to take them to an avian vet to do that, otherwise you might injure them. The advantage of them having the ankle band is that if they get out, it can be used for identification. An avian vet will know the laws in your area - here in the US some states require the band and it is illegal to remove them unless there is a medical reason for it.

[Hezz]

As said, best to get a vet to remove them, mostly because that is one skinny little leg inside that band. Is it a ring, or a closed band? The closed bands seem to cause more problems for some reason. None of my budgies have ever been rung, thankfully, the bands can cause terrible sores and restrict circulation if not fitted correctly.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Tweetie Pie has a band. Its not a solid band, it has a closed split. It is not tight and I've never seen him playing with it. Buddy does not have a band. When I put the two of them together, Buddy thought it was prime entertainment to grab Tweetie's band and shake it! Tweetie Pie is such a mellow little guy, he'd just move away - never snapped at Buddy. Luckily Buddy stopped and hasn't done it again. Maybe when I was in another room, Tweetie Pie let Buddy know what he thought of that and that's why he stopped?

[kaylor]

Thank you guys for all your help! I called my vet and they said it would be illegal to take it off... So I will just keep an eye on them. They don’t seem as bothered by them as I thought they did.

[samwiseg]

If they do become troublesome as in, they are cutting into the birds leg then they will have to be removed. If your vet wont do it then you can purchase proper leg ring cutters.

Like these:



And here's how to do it safely: