Moving cross country with 9 birds!?!

[Kspenn]

Hello everyone!
My husband and I are planning a big move at the end of May from Utah to Florida. This is a 2000+ mile road trip, and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice as to the easiest and least stressful way to move my birds. After doing some research, we have decided against shipping them and would rather have them ride with us. We have been thinking of putting them in small transport cages with food and water cups, toys and covers for night time. Has anyone done this type of thing before? How was your experience? Any and all advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Are your birds used to traveling?

I think travel cages sound like a great idea. Try to get to Florida fairly quick though if your birds seemed stressed at all. But make sure to stop at night so they can get a good sleep.

 

[mrgoogls]

i acually wouldnt have water in the cages. if you hit a bump it will spill all over your birds and car! haha. just stop every once in a while for a water break. food is okay to keep in there. i wouldnt put any BIG toys in. very small toys and foot toys are okay. if the toy is to big and startsswinging aound it might hurt the bird. otherwise sounds good! have a safe trip!!!!! let us know how the birds handle it when you get there!

 

[Greenwing]

I just did a move 1600 miles... Down the east coast to Fla... With 3 giant tortoises, 2 Rottweilers and 5 parrots....My wife drove the mini van.. With the dogs and Birds.. We kept the dogs crated the entire time.(except of course for potty breaks). The birds were transported in dog crates with stable secure perches, food and water..Every time we stopped for whatever reason we rotated a different bird out..(let them sit on top of there crate.) .. At night when we checked into the hotels..We gave them some individual attention and let them sleep on top of there crate....They arrived non the worst for wear....

With all the animals and there individual needs.. It was a pretty easy move..But I have to say the most important thing is HAVE IT ALL PLANNED OUT..Try to foresee everything and plan for it....be methodical and thorough about everything..

 

[Kspenn]

i acually wouldnt have water in the cages. if you hit a bump it will spill all over your birds and car! haha. just stop every once in a while for a water break. food is okay to keep in there. i wouldnt put any BIG toys in. very small toys and foot toys are okay. if the toy is to big and startsswinging aound it might hurt the bird. otherwise sounds good! have a safe trip!!!!! let us know how the birds handle it when you get there!

Great advice! I didn't even think of the toys hurting the birds. Although my Kakariki is a busy body so I have to put something in her cage to keep her busy, I'll probably just stick with the foot toys like you suggested. No swinging toys! I also have 4 dogs so we will be stopping every few hours for potty breaks, so I'll offer the birds water then. Thanks!

 

[Peeker]

Best idea instead of water is to have grapes, melons and other watery fruits to keep them hydrated. Good luck on your move!

 

[Merlee]

Take enough of your own water for the trip. Water quality changes from region to region. Water out West is harder than the water on the East coast. I have heard the Florida water tastes terrible. I would hate to have you panic if something changes along the way.

 

[Birdlover11]

I agree, before and during the trip I reccomend watermelon, 90% water but it's contained in a slice. Any watery fruits are fine. Also, keep vet papers with you. You never know someone might question birds across state lines.

 

[mrgoogls]

yeah i forgot to metion that you could also give fruit as a water source. like peeker said watermelon and grapes are really good. even with those i would give them water when you stop for your dogs. just in case

 

[Kspenn]

Best idea instead of water is to have grapes, melons and other watery fruits to keep them hydrated. Good luck on your move!

That's a terrific idea! Thanks!

 

[Kspenn]

yeah i forgot to metion that you could also give fruit as a water source. like peeker said watermelon and grapes are really good. even with those i would give them water when you stop for your dogs. just in case

Although I just thought, some states won't let you bring fruit from other states. When we would travel from Utah to California there was always a check point that asked if we were traveling with any fruit. I guess because the state has a lot of orchards and they are concerned about fruit flies. I'll look into it and make sure it's not going to be a problem.

 

[Parrotdise]

I'd make sure to offer grapes and oranges and mix in a few favorite treats with their regular food help to keep the stress level a little lower. If your birds haven't traveled i would get them use to travel cages and going for a ride so its not a huge shock. I would also invest in the flip top water bottles by lixit, that kind does not have a ball in the spout and they don't leak as easily. Just make sure to tape the top of the flip top, if you are driving with the bottles attached to the cage =) I hope you have a safe and happy move.

 

[Peeker]

Also you might want to check this chart of quaker legal states to be sure all the states you will pass through won't be a problem. State Laws for Quaker Parakeets
From this it looks like you can't even transport a quaker parrot through Connecticut.

 

[Greenwing]

If you buy a deep water bowl and fill it 1/2 .. It shouldn't spill.... Unless you are driving a buckboard cross country....My amazons partied in there water bowls the whole ride down...

 

[Kspenn]

Also you might want to check this chart of quaker legal states to be sure all the states you will pass through won't be a problem. State Laws for Quaker Parakeets
From this it looks like you can't even transport a quaker parrot through Connecticut.

Looks like there aren't any restrictions for Quakers in any of the states I will be traveling through or living in. - Phew- had me worried for a second.

 

[Kspenn]

If you buy a deep water bowl and fill it 1/2 .. It shouldn't spill.... Unless you are driving a buckboard cross country....My amazons partied in there water bowls the whole ride down...

No buckboard, just a Mini Cooper, a moving truck, and a Subaru Forester.
I'm not too worried about spills anyway, they'll have smaller cups and be in smaller cages anyway.

 

[Kspenn]

I'd make sure to offer grapes and oranges and mix in a few favorite treats with their regular food help to keep the stress level a little lower. If your birds haven't traveled i would get them use to travel cages and going for a ride so its not a huge shock. I would also invest in the flip top water bottles by lixit, that kind does not have a ball in the spout and they don't leak as easily. Just make sure to tape the top of the flip top, if you are driving with the bottles attached to the cage =) I hope you have a safe and happy move.

I'm not totally sure my birds would know how to use a water bottle. They've never used one before.....

 

[haleybird]

Good luck! With the proper planning, I'm sure everything will go smoothly.

Let everybody here know how it all turns out too!
I've always wondered what exactly happens at a check point beween state lines, especially with birds.

 

[Merlee]

I have traveled cross country from California to Georgia multiple times. There are two states that have inspections. California looks for produce coming into the state and Texas looks for illegal aliens. Texas will use dogs to check your vehicle. The other states are a piece of cake.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Never traveled with 9 birds, but Pritti has been cross country twice in a car. He was in a cage and did fine. At night we stayed in pet-friendly hotels and he enjoyed his out time. At rest stops and getting gas, we gave him out time too, but he wasn't too happy about having to go back in cage when we started driving again. A little water in the dish was fine for him and some dry food.

If you are moving to S.E. Florida, I can give you the name of a two A-vets if you need/want them.

Wanna