Taking Macaw Camping!!

[yagen]

Anybody done this?????

 

[Alwese]

I am all for taking your macaw anywhere, especially in stores checking to see if I am welcome, but I must admit I have never been camping with any of my macaws. I do see people with motor homes that have birds with them inside, but not like tent camping.

 

[MaraWentz]

We took Erin when we went scuba diving, we tried having a romantic late night by the fire, but Erin came out of the tent and al the way over to the fire and was sitting by our feet when i looked down lol (100 ft away). She loved the hiking and attention and the freedom to call out loud and clear. We will be doing it late next summer when we get the baby in the hang of things

 

[plax]

yagen: You might want to chat with horsesculpter. She has a Catalina Macaw named Sunny who she takes everywhere. Sunny goes on long trucking trips with them and they even take her canoeing. If horsesculpter doesn't chime in here you can always try private messaging her.

 

[Merlee]

Yes, I do. Not in a tent, but in a travel trailer. Are you looking for specific information?

 

[yagen]

We would be doing in the tent and the temperatures now here are ever nice. Not cold or hot so that won't be an issue. I am planning on taking my B&G in his carrier (he does not mind car rides at all). Then I was planning on getting a traveling cage with perches, toys and food bowls. In this cage he will sleep inside the tent with us. I will also take a stand for him to hang out in during the day but always with supervision obviously. I was just wondering what was I missing. I have to be very careful off wild animals obviously, but what other tips you Gus have.


Thanks to everybody for replying!!

 

[DurHandler]

We used to take our Quakers camping and this actually worked out fairly well. If your bird spazzes out in your tent and will not stop, you've likely got an owl outside in the trees. Other then that they took to it fairly well but we do live in Florida where the weather is moderate. Just be sure to bring lots of bottled water, if your bird isn't used to all the good things that are in natural waters, it might upset them.

Location may be another essential. When people camp, time is a concept that goes away. I've been some places where there was noise non-stop. The night people would finally crash out and those of us that still slept on a 9-5 schedule would be getting up.

Camping can be a great way to orientate your bird to new situations but always remember, your bird is 'on the ground' in a place where natural predators dwell so just try not to overload him with too much in one day and he ought be fine.

 

[MaraWentz]

Bring a water proof cover just in case it rains and your own fire wood for the same reason. Bring blankets for the bottom of his cage in case it gets chilly at night.... that's it I think

 

[Merlee]

The only other thing I can think of is to put a lock on the cage door so he doesn't find a way out by himself or with somebody else's help.

 

[yagen]

Thank you guys so much!! I think that what i will do is convert a dog crate the ones that fold up into a bird camping tent with perches and toys and food! I am in UAE and they do not have many bird stores with all kinds of goodies so i will not be able to find a actual bird one! Also i will take a perch for him to hang out in during the day with his harness while we are close by! I have it all planned out!!! can't wait!

 

[MaraWentz]

We did the foldable dog crate, as well, and we could easily fit the perch between the bars, but as far as being out she either walked around (she was given those feet for a reason lol) or she hitched a ride on my shoulder. If we went diving she stayed in her 'cage'.

 

[Merlee]

We use retrofitted a dog crate as well for our trips. The only thing I did not like about the setup was that there was no grate at the bottom. I may have to makeshift something for that.

 

[MaraWentz]

The foldable crates usually have a removable plastic grate, but not the carriers

 

[horsesculpter]

We do take Sunny everywhere and she appears to love it. We haven't tried a tent but don't see why not. Just use your head about escapes, other animals, night time cold etc. as you and others have noted and have fun! If your bird is like Sunny, he will love it. Sunny will pretty much go anywhere as long as she has us for support. She is bravest when she is on one of us. LOL. Wonder why? She has logged mant thousands of miles with us in two years.

 

[yagen]

AWESOME!!! Glad to hear you guys have used the dog crates too!!! I thought it was a good idea, gad to get confirmation!! =)) so excited! my B&G Aro is coming everywhere with us!! =)) he is already getting used to his harness!! he wears it around his neck and back but its not fully strapped in yet, little by little & lots of reinforcement!!

 

[MaraWentz]

Did you take them camping yet?