Parrots and Moving?

[Helitorian]

How well do birds deal with moving homes? If you've read my thread "Its gotta be Karma" you know I'm moving soon. I'm guessing Con is going to act the same way she did when I first brought her home or should I expect something different? Also, if I'm working 50-60 hours a week, should I get her a friend? My dad isn't home much either so it would be just her at our cabin and I feel bad about it :/
Thanks!

 

[Chawkins2]

Every bird is going to be different in stressful situations. When I took my blue crown home for the first time she seemed perfectly fine with the drive and the new scenery when she arrived. She adapted quickly I suppose. My friends sun conure did not do well when moving or even going on trips. She was very flighty and skittish for about a day after the move. Just give them time to adapt. I'm not sure on the companion part, hopefully someone has good insight!

 

[JamesC]

My Tootsie is an experienced mover. We have moved 4 times since she came to live with me. When the packing is going on, she knew something was happening and was fairly quiet and watchful. For the first hour or so of each trip, she was skittish but settled down for the ride well enough. About the same skittishness at the new place with all the bustle of unpacking and organizing. But it never took her long to settle in. Having her familiar cage set up first thing seemed to help. Plus once things were unloaded I always sat down with her for some cuddle time. She was always back to "normal" after a day or two.

You will be there for your bird so I think that will be a comforting thing for Con. Take breaks from organizing for some cuddles and treats. Moving is an upset but I think birds are usually very adaptable to new situations. Tootsie is a good mover. Will have to see how Rosa and Sidney handle it. But I think they will be fine too. Especially Sidney. When he arrived, he moved right in like he had always been here.

As for a companion, I think birds are happier to have another bird in the house. Even if they don't interact with each other. Previously with Tootsie, I always had some budgies. She did not like them anywhere near her (though I have some great photos of her being puffy headed when a male named Yahto was singing his heart out to her). When I lost my pair of budgies within a couple weeks of each other I noticed a distinct difference in her behavior. She became a little skittish and nervous seeming when I came home. Much more vocal and needy. That continued until Rosa arrived. After an adjustment period she seemed to relax again and is much calmer now. Still vocal but that is just her and Rosa urging each other on.

I had not been following your thread but I hope things go well with your move and things settle down for you and Con quickly. Good luck.

 

[JensFlock]

Mine did fine during their move. Of course, they had each other for comfort, so they weren't alone.
I just made sure they were involved in everything I was doing, and made a point of spending as much time with them as I could.

 

[MikeyTN]

When we bought the house we had to move Willie and Dixie. They did just fine as the first thing we setup that very night is the TV! As hectic everything was with boxes everywhere, I set the TV up just for the birds. They did just fine!!! I would never suggest moving and getting a new cage and all new toys, keep everything the same! They adjust better. As long as you leave the radio or TV on for them, they will be just fine, they really don't need another bird around. IT would be nice for them to interact, yes, but not necessary!!!! I work 70+ hours a week but I have insomnia so I'm up pretty late with the birds playing and talking to them. On my off time I spend my time with them. But my partner is usually home with them. Plus they have other birds to interact, a radio/or TV on for entertainment. Plus all different toys for them to play with. I started cutting back my schedule a little this month as I feel I need to be around them more often cause I miss them terribly while at work. But gotta pay the bills and feeding everyone.

 

[lene1949]

The move itself will be stressful for the birds, but if you bring their cages and set them up the way they were, they think they'll be fine...

If I had to move, I would put the cages in my office, and roll them out into the lounge room during the day... They would have a lot of things they could relate to, as well as your behaviour (which shouldn't have changed)...

 

[MikeyTN]

Many years ago when I was moving back to TN from up north, I did a 14hr trip with one of my parrot and he did great. I was driving through the night so he just slept on the trip down. Just make sure you give them a early start on feeding before the trip and you'll be just fine.

 

[Remy]

I moved about a week ago. Puck was already familiar with the house and people, so he's been pretty happy with that. Only difference I've noticed is that he's been clingier at bedtime, but that's about it. He did act stressed when I was preparing for he move, but he may have just picked up on my feelings.

 

[Mayden]

I've moved with Merlin 'twice' technically (he lived at my boyfriends parents before coming with me to my parents, then moved out again to mine and my boyfriends house)

I was the 'constant' factor for him, and he had his cage. Merlin got quite used to travelling in his carrier as he was pretty much having weekly vet visits for his leg. But Merlin, as soon as he 'worked out' the rooms he was in, was quite happy to settle if he knew that me and my OH were there

We're moving again at the end of the month and I'm not in the slightest bit worried about Merlin's transition, he's just so good with it!

I hope your move goes well, just make sure Con knows you're always there during the move, I'm sure she'll feel a lot better.

 

[Spiritbird]

The newest issue of Bird talk magazine has a very nice article on moving with your bird and getting them ready.

 

[Helitorian]

Con does amazingly well when it comes to be toted around in her carrier and going to new places so I'm thinking she won't be too bad but I'm really worried about her being alone. Plus its an excuse for me to get another bird I'll be heading down this wednesday to tie up some loose ends and she's going with me. I need to make sure I can bird proof our cabin before I bring her to stay and tell my dad he's gonna have to freeze his butt off from now on to have a smoke.

Living at the cabin also means I can make Con a giant playstand out of tree branch which I've been dying to do. Just need to figure out what kind of bird I want next to make it appropriate for them as well. I'm leaning towards a mini macaw or a Sun.

 

[roxynoodle]

That was part of the reason I got my second conure was to keep Rowdy company while I was at work. I was teaching high school full time and college part time. At first she hated the new bird, but soon came to appreciate having another bird around to chat with and watch. At least conures are very good at playing with their toys and entertaining themselves. Of course they still want to be with you as much as possible, but they really do seem to do ok while you are working.