Traveling with your bird, Part II

[bgriffin70]

Here's the dilemma... I've been having some health issues of late that require me to be more active; which we should all do. So I've found myself starting up with the fishing hobby again. I know, not a cardio workout by any means; but something better than watching TV for sure.

I hate the thought of leaving Green Bean alone for hours on end in her cage, so have been taking her with me. She seems fine with travel, no issues at all. Enjoys the time in her travel cage, talks to me, etc. etc. She does get sleepy when it starts getting dark, which fishing does run into late afternoon / evening hours and that's what I'm afraid of... getting her out of her routine or stressing her too much.

Not fishing every day, obviously; but do often go 3-4 times a week to local lakes within an hour's drive. Usually afternoon trips but sometimes not getting back home 'til 10pm-ish. She mostly just gets quiet and tries to nap until we get home, one final feed and then finally to bed.

IS THIS TOO MUCH STRESS FOR HER? IS IT A RISK TAKING HER OUTDOORS SO OFTEN?

I know there are risks associated with just about anything you do; but the thought of her just sitting home alone in her cage seems cruel versus the fun she seems to have traveling with me and my wife when we get out and go fishing. Tried tent camping once even, but it did get too cold so we brought her home just to be safe.

Some perhaps awkward habits we do together...
1. My lorikeet takes a shower every day with me.
2. If going fishing or outdoor like stuff; she goes as often as we can take her... especially if we're going to be away for more than a couple of hours.
3. We don't take her to public places such as Wal-Mart, stores, etc... too crowded and she doesn't like big crowds of people. Also see that as really more of a health risk than just taking her to the lake where she can hang out with us.

Thoughts on this are much appreciated. I don't want to stress her or make her ill. Summer here is nice and warm and if it's too hot or I see her start acting like she's getting warm; we just take a break and jump in the truck with the AC on. Always have plenty of nectar, fresh water, baby food, etc. so she eats and drinks plenty.

Too weird to take a bird on fishing trips ???

 

[ShaunaR]

I take Pixie alot of the places I go too. She has a Pack o Bird which protects against mosquitoes with it's stainless steel mesh. My only concern at being around water would be bugs that bite. What type of carrier do you have? I just take a small blanket, a small piece of fleeece, or her sleep tent if I know we will be out past her bedtime and she snuggles in with that. I also cover the pack with a blanket after 8 pm. I don't usually do that at home but it does reduce the wind and stimuli if we are outside. I hope this helps.

 

[henpecked]

I think it's great you take her fishing. My YNA used to go out on the boat (big boat) all the time and stay for days. She still enjoys going on fishing trips in the small boat now days but i have to watch the heat. I don't worry too much about bugs because if they're too bad for her ,they're too bad for me,LOL. Unlike your bird mine wants to be home when it gets dark.

 

[bgriffin70]

We do need a bigger travel cage for her; just a bit larger. Funny; as of now; all we have is a mid-size hamster cage with the little manzanita limbs mounted as perches for her. Cage is big enough; but a bit bigger would be nicer for her. Didn't think about taking her 'snuggle hut' with us for when it starts getting dark. I do a lot of bass fishing and that sometimes requires waiting until almost dark for the right time for the fish to start biting. By then; we typically get her inside the truck, AC on if it's hot and muggy to keep her cool (not cold.)

 

[MrsKay]

I think it's great that you take her with you fishing. My concern would be that air-conditioning, in and out of the heat? Be careful with that.
How hot does it get where you are?
I think I would just go for some shade

 

[bgriffin70]

Very good point on the AC as it does get hot... sometimes near 100 degrees. In those situations; if it's just too hot; I keep her in the truck and IF we get outside; she's always in the shade. The good part of fishing is that typically I'm late in the afternoon / evenings when doing so; so by then, the temps have cooled off (some.) But you're right; going in and out too often could cause her to catch cold I suppose... I'll be more careful with that one. I always make sure there's minimal bugs around as I am definitely a mosquito magnet. If one is around, it will definitely find me first. Here in southern Oregon; bug problem isn't too bad which is nice. Always watching to make sure that if she's out; she's either on my shoulder or on her tree stand... my wonderful invention of taking a microphone stand and then installing her old manzanita tree on top of that. (the old one broke so now she sits even higher on her "tree stand" as we refer to it.

 

[Kiwibird]

I think it's SO much better to get your bird out and about than leave her at home in her cage. Parrots live outdoors in nature, so the fact she's getting to be in nature all the time is a great thing. As for heat, use common sense with that, but generally they are ok in hot weather, just not sweltering hot, make you feel like dying weather. I take a spritz bottle when I go walking with Kiwi and give him little spritzes to keep him cool

I also REALLY love the bird backpack. It's pricey, but well worth the investment for the "active" bird who comes out frequently. Easy to carry, if he's zipped inside I don't have to watch him every second (hawks and stuff) and the mesh provides bug protection. Food and water dishes can also be provided and you can roll down panels for sun protection from whatever direction the sun is coming in (while still leaving the other side open so they can see out).
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Celltei-Pak-Bird-Olive-Stainless/dp/B0048WI9BS]Amazon.com : Celltei Pak-o-Bird - Olive color with Stainless Steel mesh - Small Size : Soft Sided Pet Carriers : Pet Supplies[/ame]
I *think* the small would be the right size for a lorikeet, though a medium would be roomier and still manageable (we have the medium for Kiwi and it's easy enough to carry around)