? for anyone who has moved with a bird.

[Auggie's Dad]

So I will be moving this summer to go to graduate school. I am currently in MN and may be moving to Massachusetts. Its a ways off, but I've been thinking how to move with Auggie...

I really dont have a clue. I couldnt put him in his cage in a Uhaul... could I. If I had him in the passenger seat of my truck I cant imagine he'd be comfortable, he be nervous and probably screaming. I'm pretty patient, but I cant drive all day for two whole days with a bird screaming right in my ear.

Has anyone else traveled cross country with a bird? How did you do it, and how did they do? I know he's been "shipped" before. I got him in a pet store here in MN, and if I remember right he came from CA. What kind of cage would they have had him in that would be safe? Wouldnt they panic?

I'm just confused and pretty nervous about moving with him. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[TexDot33]

coming to the East Coast! Awesome! .. Actually I know a lot of parrots that love car rides ... why not take Auggie out for a ride in either a pet carrier or on a harness and see what he thinks, gauge your plan on how he reacts to the car ride ...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I've brought him on a few short car rides. He screamed the whole way and looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack. I'm sure with a little time I could desensitize him a bit, but I'm not sure how much I can do before its time to go.

And yup, east coast here I come (back). I've applied the several grad schools, but chances are pretty good that I may be going to UMASS for their Neuroscience and Behavior PhD program.

 

[Tracy842]

There is a great carrier called a wingabago. The bird can see all around them so it doesn't cause so much stress. They are a bit pricey though. Here is a pic of one.

 

[zarafia]

Please don't put him in the U-haul.
I have gone on long roadtrips with my birds since I was a kid insisting that my cockatiels come with us on family vacations. More recently I have taken show birds from Florida to New Hampshire and they were still in tip top condition when we got to the show. Much more recently I drove from St.Louis To Gainesville with a saker falcon on the passenger seatback.
As stated earlier, many birds enjoy car rides. Mabey you could start getting Auggie used to short trips, like take him to a few pet stores.
Something to think about: The travel cage I built for my tiels and the show cages that show birds travel in have a wire front and the rest of the cage is solid wood or plastic. This might provide a little more security for him than that attractive, expensive new carrier. In fact a tiny finch or budgie cage that you could cover partially with a towel might be fine for him. It seems to me that that plastic carrier would be really easy to fall down in, whereas a wire cage can be gripped all over.
If all else fails theres always earplugs.

 

[Tracy842]

You can get a different door for those cages that are wire for climbing.

Hamster cages are cheap and would provide enough space for a Dusky and you can add a couple of small toys and perches.

 

[birdcrazy]

i moved 6 hours with my teil - get any cheap small travel cage the one I used was about 12X14X16 - you might want a little bigger this was for my teil. set it out in your house with toys and treats and start getting him used to it - let him climb over it like a play gym and slowly close the door for just a few minutes at a time and stay right with him rewarding him and paying him attention so he doesn't feel punished then start taking it outside with you just to check the mail or sit and read a magazine for a few minutes finally take him on quick trips down to the store and to grab some bread (weather permitting) and that kind of thing. If he still seems nervous cover the cage with a light weight dark blanket for the drive. he'll be just fine. Oh and also consider getting him used to a water bottle it will make the drive a lot cleaner!

 

[Lori]

If you really feel stuck PM me you can ship him I think it cost about $100. I will pick him up and hold him for the 3 or 4 days for you to get here and settle...
Which of the u mass campuses were you looking at?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Thanks, I think we've got it figured out. I got a travel cage for him we moved once into a temp place. I'll be in MA next week.

I'll be at Amhest.

 

[Lori]

Thanks, I think we've got it figured out. I got a travel cage for him we moved once into a temp place. I'll be in MA next week.

I'll be at Amhest.

Awesome.. If you and Texdot decide to do lunch let me know I will join. you...
nothing like inviting myself.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Sounds like the beginning of an MA bird club... except you are all probably around boston... I'll be out in western MA

 

[Lori]

Sounds like the beginning of an MA bird club... except you are all probably around boston... I'll be out in western MA

It will be further for Texdott33 but I am north of Boston and I don't mind the drive.. He can drive to me and I will drive to you I bet we could even find a bird store to torture while out that way I know a nice one in Walpole but I would have to see if that is near where we want to go.

 

[TexDot33]

Have to get you both to Parrot Safari ... it might be a bit further, but hey, New Hampshire has no sales tax ... I am not going to lie, this area needs a bird club ...

 

[azbirdlover]

We would love to move from Phoenix, Az either to northern Arizona or possibly even Florida. We have 20 birds and I don't even want think about trying to move across country with them right now. I am just so sick of the heat..It was 112 here today! Good luck with the move..
PS>> I am a 1999 graduate of UMASS Amherst and from Cape Cod..LOVE the Red Sox and Celtics!!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Sick of the heat?!

Its been raining with highs in the fouties for the past month here. I forgot what the sun looks like.

 

[azbirdlover]

What I wouldn't do to see clouds and rain. It gets so boring seeing the sun 360 days a year!! It gets old real fast......I miss the cool wet rainy days.....and lots of greenery...

 

[Lori]

Have to get you both to Parrot Safari ... it might be a bit further, but hey, New Hampshire has no sales tax ... I am not going to lie, this area needs a bird club ...

I have been there its 25 min from me. If I am going to NH I go to bird supply of NH...in Nashua. I never go to sea world they are dirty..I said walpole because it was not so far for AD. I am open to anything.

 

[danewillow]

Sick of the heat?!

Its been raining with highs in the fouties for the past month here. I forgot what the sun looks like.

It hasn't been THAT bad here! The rain has been a bit much but my tomato plants love it. It's getting nice out now. If there's ever a good time to be laid off, this is it. I'd much rather live in MN than Mass. I've been there several times and never liked it.

Julie

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Well it HAS been that bad here. I love MA I can't wait to live there.