Boading Uglow this Christmas & I'm terrified i'm making a mistake.

[Uglow]

So my wife and I have to go see her folks on the other side of the country. My initial thought was to buy him a cage and stuff in Arizona and fly him out with us. But they have several cats. So I was gonna pay to board their cats but that's not gonna happen. So we asked around and nobody's able to stay at our place during the holiday season. And I don't trust other family memebers with candles and cookware. Uglow's gonna have to be boarded and we're both petrified.
I found a pet store that deals with adoptions rather than puppy mills that has an extensive boarding facility for birds. The cage size for an eclectus is tiny. 24x24x24. So i'm booking him in a macaw cage. We're gonna be gone for a week. I figured I'm going to prepare his food and treats for them and deck out his cage with plenty to do. They unfortunately don't allow the birds any out of cage time. which is really gonna drive him mad.
They require avian exams of all the birds that stay with them including testing for Psittacosis so that's something.

My original plan was to volunteer at a parrot rescue and bring uglow along so he was familiar with everyone and hopefully comfortable staying there but they're booked up months in advance.

So now I'm thinking of visiting this place this weekend to check out their facility and meet the staff that will be caring for him. They use my avain vet for all their avian vet needs so that's good.

What do you guys think about boarding uglow for 24 hours in a few weeks then for 48 hours a few weeks later. Do you think prepping him like this will be less stressful for him when the week long stint comes?

Do any of you have any experience with boarding your birds? Is there something I'm missing or should be looking for or asking?

Thank you

 

[Kiwibird]

Is there not a professional pet sitting service you could hire to come over 2X a day to feed and care for him instead? That's what my parents always do when they leave town for vacations. They hire someone from a professional service to come feed and water their birds. The lady will even cut them up fresh produce my mom leaves for them. A pet sitter may not be able to let him out (for safety reasons) but at least he wouldn't be around other birds, potentially with diseases or behavioral issues to mimic and would be at home, in a familiar environment. I would imagine boarding to be so traumatic, for both bird and owners!

 

[Sunnyclover]

I agree that boarding your baby is terrifying. I'm bof the same attitude and mind. I agree that a professional pet service would be better. At least he'll be at home and can watch TV and be covered at night and not hear a ton of other terrified birds screaming saying God knows what to him at night. So he won't have and out of cage time at the boarding place or if you get a pet sitter but staying at home is always less traumatic for the feathered sort. Good luck!

 

[LordTriggs]

I would agree with the others on pet-sitters but I'm sure finding avian ones and available over the holidays may be tricky

Does his vet do boarding? I know I'd prefer a vet boarding to a pet shop

 

[plumsmum2005]

The Vet boarding is likely to be more secure as they will I expect have staff/nurses on over the holiday period. The Pet shop will close up.

You can prep and freeze in dishes Uglow's meals so it's just bring out and defrost and then any fresh bits to dress his meal with.

If you have a internet community board get on that and try and find some parrot owners on there?

 

[chris-md]

I’ve boarded Parker a few times. Believe me I know the angst. Parker gets the 24x24 cage, it’s actually fine for a temporary stay like what you are doing.

Honestly. I would be tempted to tell you to just leave him at home. I’ve left Parker alone for 24 hours before, and even 48 hours with extra water bowls. It went perfectly fine and he’s in familiar surroundings. 48 hours game me angst but no more so than leaving him in unfamiliar surroundings that I as a human associate with dumping my bird for good

Something to consider.

 

[LordTriggs]

very true plum. Also you have vets/nurses on standby overseeing them so they can spot problems pretty quickly!

 

[Kiwibird]

I would agree with the others on pet-sitters but I'm sure finding avian ones and available over the holidays may be tricky

While some services may not want to watch birds, most will watch just about any pet as long as you pay them (may charge extra for exotics and holiday service though). There aren't really "specialized" avian pet sitting services I know of, just any (reputable) pet sitting service is fine. The OP should read online reviews and call around. It's not like choosing a vet, all they have to do is be capable of following your instructions on how to feed and change water (and possibly sweep up/change the paper, depending how long you'll be gone) for a couple days. They don't (or at least shouldn't be) taking out the bird and playing with it or doing anything more than very basic care once or twice a day. Cage should be extra secured, a padlock or multiple padlocks, if necessary. Never once has any of my parents birds or Kiwi become sick under the care of a pet sitter at home, though it is wise to advise the sitter beforehand of key signs of illness and leave the AVs number in a prominent place. I'd be so much more concerned about a vets office having my perfectly healthy bird around birds of unknown health/behavioral status! A good service will send over the person who will be the sitter beforehand so you can show them what to do, how much food to give, if the cage should be covered during an evening visit etc... Now would be the time to book though and don't cancel that boarding reservation until a sitter has been confirmed!

 

[itzjbean]

I encourage you to call your avian vet and see if they board. They will have staff on hand throughout the holiday season and he will be in good hands should trouble arise.

"I was gonna pay to board their cats but that's not gonna happen" ... yeah I can see why that didn't work out, as its their home, and not very fair to ask that of your in-laws even if you were paying for it. Boarding your bird for the week you're gone is a much better option here. Uglow will be fine!!

 

[clark_conure]

I'll just put this out there, One of my local petsmart stores has an animal hotel that includes bird boarding. I've never used it but I filed it in the back of my mind just in case I was in a similar situation. I AM NOT VOUCHING FOR IT. Profile says you live in chicago they probably have at least a few of those stores.

Also there is a bird boutique shop in my area, and a guy downtown, a breeder that boards birds, and he's probably a bird genius.

I would go through the internets or your local yellow pages and call the specialist bird shops or smaller-ish independent pet stores, the owner-proprietor type....Many of them board birds just because there is not a lot to be made in the selling of birds and the food (i mean after all the money and formula and special care rearing a newborn). Putting up a bird hotel is probably a large chunk of their revenue. And I bet they will handle special instructions, special treats, work on training etc. If none of that works out I'd hit the chain stores like I mentioned above.


Hope you find a solution

 

[Scott]

I too suggest considering boarding at an avian vet facility. Likely more costly than a typical service, but the level of expertise is high. A potential downside is the parade of sick birds, but if they are set up for boarding an enclosed area is provided.

I've only boarded one bird - a female ekkie - and she acclimated very well.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I'll just put this out there, One of my local petsmart stores has an animal hotel that includes bird boarding. I've never used it but I filed it in the back of my mind just in case I was in a similar situation. I AM NOT VOUCHING FOR IT. Profile says you live in chicago they probably have at least a few of those stores.

Also there is a bird boutique shop in my area, and a guy downtown, a breeder that boards birds, and he's probably a bird genius.

I would go through the internets or your local yellow pages and call the specialist bird shops or smaller-ish independent pet stores, the owner-proprietor type....Many of them board birds just because there is not a lot to be made in the selling of birds and the food (i mean after all the money and formula and special care rearing a newborn). Putting up a bird hotel is probably a large chunk of their revenue. And I bet they will handle special instructions, special treats, work on training etc. If none of that works out I'd hit the chain stores like I mentioned above.

Hope you find a solution

Or the total opposite?

Just a point about Vet boarding, I should think unless very, very sick all the birds will have been despatched back home for the hols as vet care for a sick bird over the hols will be high, weekend costs are bad enough here. As questions IMO.

 

[clark_conure]

I'll admit the things that hit me was there was a thousand dollar plus rainbow macaw saying hi to me and several other birds like hey whats up...and they were all being boarded. I asked about the macaw and he told me yeah the owners are on vacation. I figure if they trust this guy with that kind of bird he must know something.....plus he had that look, I dunno how to describe it, but like .....he just looked like he was a bird guy....I feeling, a sense...like he devoted most his adult life to birds and learning their behaviors. I have nothing to base it on other than a gut reaction, or feeling about him.

Maybe he's a serial killer but he's still in business, so I don't think he's an avian mass murderer...also this is not the UK with LordTriggs stories of breeders... (this is not a "Dis" LT openly admits the lack of oversight and laments at it and I am empathetic for him)

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I boarded Smokey at my local pet shop once,a long time ago for a week one Christmas..boy was she P.O. at me when we got back,and the place took terrible care of her.
My CAV does boarding too,but they were full at the time,and rather pricey.
Knowing what I do now,I would board at the vet

Being owned by Fids is one reason 'Ol Jimmy Boy is an old fuddy dud and doesn't go too far from home lol




Jim

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I too suggest considering boarding at an avian vet facility. Likely more costly than a typical service, but the level of expertise is high. A potential downside is the parade of sick birds, but if they are set up for boarding an enclosed area is provided.

I've only boarded one bird - a female ekkie - and she acclimated very well.

I agree with Scott..the AV I have been using for thirty years or so,has a special boarding room,away from the ill little guys and girls,and it's right near the reception area so they can hear/see the days action.
Any time I have been there,there is always at least one Fid in the room.



Jim

 

[LordTriggs]

very true clark

BUT! Think of all the people out there who keep even their big birds locked away in a cage constantly fed on nothing but "parrot mix" and maybe a bell to play with. Not everyone can be as great parronts as people here. Sad but unfortunately true, you have to go with what you feel is right and without knowing them for a long time I wouldn't offer to house with a breeder and I would never use a pet store just because the people working them just aren't paid enough to care about what happens.

above all else I'd prefer a vet just so they can spot if anything is amiss. I'd rather a vet call me and say they're looking under the weather and paying for them to treat my bird rather than coming back to a store employee informing me they died.

You get what you pay for in the end

 

[clark_conure]

No I think I described it wrong, this was a parrot only store....no other animals....I think his main business was boarding and breeding. Clark's never met him, I just bring it up as an alternative. Guy seemed legit, caring. Like birds were his life.

Forget it, it was a type of parrot boutique like the other and some of those bird boutiques take on boarders, that's all I really meant to post, if the OP is shoot out of luck finding a pet sitter....
*sigh*

 

[coopedup]

see if there are any bird clubs in your area....usually members are good sources for bird sitting...and they are experienced

 

[davefv92c]

guess im lucky to have an Aviary 2 miles up the street where all of mine
have come from. im making a move next year and the only way i can see to move the birds are the wife and i to go ahead and board them there move get set up and make a ride back with the traveling cages. i would not trust anyone else with them. and they will also get big cages along with pretty much the same diet they are used to.
just lucky i guess

 

[Uglow]

Thanks for all the input folks. Really appreciate it. Made an appointment this morning to go see another facility at an avian vet. Gonna go see what they have and chat with their director. Hopefully this place is amazing.

I'm too worried to get a sitter over Christmas. Chicago get's cold and if our heat goes out like it did several years ago...I don't want to think about it. Anyway, I'll update after I check this place out.

Thanks again