Going on a trip...

[ljacobs1987]

I know how to take a bird on a trip because I have done it a few times, but unfortunately we will have to leave our bird at home this time. We are going to the Dominican in a few weeks. My solution is that I'm going to leave his cage open so he can have reign over the house. We have done it before but never for this long. We will be gone for 4 days. Food is easy but our main concern is the water situation. Now, I read on another forum about these types of indoor fountains that she could just drink out of instead of having sitting water in her cage that she could run out of. Anybody have any experience with this idea? If you think it's a good idea, I will go check out the types of indoor fountains. Thanks!

 

[IcyWolf]

I leave one of our birds' cages open even when we leave, but it's only for short periods of time, usually a few hours at most, and she never leaves her cage. I would be afraid to leave a bird loose and unattended for 4 whole days, that just seems like there are too many things that could go wrong.
As far as the water situation, you could start training your bird now to use a water bottle, but I still don't like the idea of having the same water for 4 days. For that long of a trip, I think the only safe solution would be to board your bird or have a trusted friend visit and take care of him/her.

 

[Tammy]

I know the one's for dogs & cats are pretty reliable, but for me personally I'd feel better with someone coming in to check on him & change the water. What if the bird had an accident or got stuck in something. My parrot decided the other night that he didn't like being moved from the ceiling fan back to his playgym so decided to protest & fly in the dark. Although unhurt, I just about had a panic attack. Do you have family or a neighbor that could pop in, change the water & check on his wellbeing?

 

[roxynoodle]

I don't think I could leave a bird out for 4 days. I'd be concocting every scenario you can imagine: the furniture is all ripped to shreds, my antiques have been eaten, the TV has been eaten, the house is on fire because it chewed through an electrical cord. In the case of Rowdy I'm quite positive any or all of those scenarios are possible.

I would instead hope for a reliable pet sitter who could change the food and water daily and make sure the bird is ok.

 

[IcyWolf]

And unless you find away to hook your lights up to a timer of some sort, you would have to leave the light on for the duration of your trip which seems like torture for your poor bird. I agree with roxy, I'd be afraid of everything that could happen.

 

[Spiritbird]

There are too many dangers in a home to leave a bird unsupervised for 4 days. I would never never do that. Not even for 1 day.

 

[Remy]

I'd be hesitant to leave the bird out for 4 days. Could you birdproof a room, and let it roam free in there? And have somebody check on him once or twice a day?

I'm certain that if I left Puck out for that long, I'm sure I'd find antiques and electrical cords chewed up, and possibly an electrocuted bird, because he is very attracted to cords. :-\

Puck has a water bottle (along with his water dish, which he often poops in), and it lasts a long time.

 

[AiSell]

Don't leave them, they will make crazy things, be sure Ask your friend or someone of your family to take care for them

 

[roxynoodle]

Honestly, I watch my birds every second they are out. Rowdy can and does want to destroy everything she sees. Pete can't fly but he sure can climb down off things to get to where he wants to go. Our homes are filled with dangers for our birds. And of course they can also destroy things you like and want to keep.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Find someone who can check up on him, it's hard for birds to be alone for so long because they're flock animals. And if you can afford it you can board him at an avian vet.

 

[lizardsmells]

I will leave my cats for two days/one night. That's it. I wouldn't dream of leaving any other animal alone that long, much less 4 days. There has to be a rescue, bird store, breeder, pet sitters near you and one of them has to know someone who is bird knowledgeable and willing to come by twice a day. It's really not terribly expensive. When we're gone our pet sitter comes by twice a day and takes care of all the animals (including play time) and it costs us 35.00 a day.