Can you imagine a known magician treating doves or chicks horribly in this current time? They'd reputation would be shot

Bill, wouldn't that be the "BIRD of Frankenstein"?

Actually, that would be closer. The post referred to a misspelling that was in the previous post. It has since been corrected, so the correction was also done to my post.

I tried with my parakeet and also my horned lizard. Neither cared much for the fussing and I certainly would not try to carry them around. I got the parakeets book and read all the cautions about drafts and just can't do that to an animal.

Someday sombody clever may breed TINY rabbits or long eared mice that might be fun if they stayed small.

The stuff about breakign toes on the chicks etc is just too much for me.

And agreed about the loads being showstoppers. Expect the table to get rushed.

I'm a lazy magician. I don't want hassels or hard work. To me, a live load is a lot of work. Not just for doing the the magic but taking care of the animal in between shows. It is, after all, a living breathing thing. I don't have the time to take care of the animal so I don't bother to use a live load. However, I do produce a dog and cat in my cup and ball routine. How do I do that you may ask?

I use little stuffed animals that are actually cat toys. They fit fine, they don't move the cups, they don't need to be walked or fed. After them I finish with my usual large ball production. People seem to like the little critters.

And have you ever tried to classic palm a hamster? No Thanks, I'll stick to little ridiculous crocheted balls.

Brianclementsvatua made a good point. "You just have to handle them well so that no animal gets hurt when loaded into the cup." Yep. A little foot sticking out from under, as you slam down the cup may not get past some people. They will think about that for the rest of your show.

qwism, that's why I mention this. Also, using livestock can cause unintentional comedy, in a show that my not supposed to be! Or, disgust, as in my case. About 25 years ago, I pulled a rabbit out a hat, merrily peeing away, and little pellets dropping...oh joy. And this was for a Ladies Club Luncheon, no less!

Another show (recently), the little white mouse I had produced from a glass of milk, jumped out of my hands and ran around the floor, causing a near riot...women screaming, jumping on folded chairs (and they folded up, dumping aforementioned ladies to the ground!)...I'm lucky I didn't get SUED! Ahhh, lessons learned...

Long live the spring animals! The rabbit version of Rocky Raccoon is the best rabbit IMO...looks real from a short distance. Judy The Mouse is good, albeit unanimated, but that defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Doug

Willard the Wizard used live parakeets in the vanishing bird cage. He never hurt a bird. The birds never pecked him, either. Bev Bergeron worked as his assistant and said that the birds used to peck the fire out of him when he would put them into the cage. Willard thought this was funny because he never had any trouble with them.

It's mentioned in Willard the Wizard.

And have you ever tried to classic palm a hamster? No Thanks, I'll stick to little ridiculous crocheted balls.
yes with dwarf hamsters you can!