Shipping Safety?

First, I have to say, I have never shipped a bird, or any animal for that matter, in fact, I have never even been to a commercial airport. I've spent a lot of time at smaller airports as my dad is a small, single engine, pilot and used to live at a private airport and had a plane. But aside from little cessnas, pipers, etc, I don't really know much about commercial jets or how they handle things. I also am just starting to delve into the world of parrot breeding, we have no babies at the moment but I like to be prepared so I'm asking all of these questions hypothetically.

I've never really liked the idea of shipping birds, they just seem to be so easily upset by change that being put in a carrier, handled by a lot of people, strange noises and the general rushed feelings most people seem to experience when at an airport, it just seems like a scary situation for a baby bird, or even an adult. That and I think I would prefer to meet the new parents in person rather than just speak on the phone and through the internet before I would send them a baby that I have spent so much time raising and caring for. I have noticed that a lot of breeders do ship their birds and I'm wondering if it is feasible to expect to be able to sell locally? I understand that selling a bird that is $500+ may not be the easiest thing to do without expanding your market past what most people are willing to drive. But after reading Roxy's post about planes it made me wonder, do airlines that ship animals have any regulation on the health of the animals they are shipping? I plan on having all of our babies checked by a vet before they go to their new homes but I know not everyone does that, like in the case of just rehoming a pet. Is it safe to have a young, healthy bird, in a small area with other animals of unknown health? The best I could do is make sure they are healthy and disease free before they leave my home but once they get on a plane and are stacked in with other birds/reptiles/mammals, how can you be sure that they won't catch something from another animal?
I was also wondering about the pick up procedures. I can't help but think about what might happened if something were to come up and the new owners don't arrive on time to pick up the baby, like if their car would break down, have an accident, or just some other freak thing came up? Would that leave this poor baby just sitting in a carrier at the airport for an undetermined amount of time? And how does it work for giving food and water? Are these people trained in any way to deal with parrots, what if an unclipped bird were to escape from someone opening a carrier? I know these are all worst case scenarios but I can't help but think of that as I try to decide on whether or not I should offer shipping when it comes time to find new homes for any babies we may have. And for any of you that breed, have you had any luck selling your babies locally or is shipping something that inevitably you end up having to resort to?

first u should get a carrier that is airline approved then get ur bird used to the carrier for about a couple days then for food put there food pellets of some sort and u do not put water u must put something like an orange or grapes something that holds water in it so ur bird wont be dehydrated and the water should not spill everyone who ships the bird always charges the buyer for the shipping some charge about 145 to 180 depending on the airline and they must pay u for gas as well the shipping money includes handling a custom crate insurance and a airline ticket and ur gas money they should take there bird within 72 hours of arrival to a vet to get it checked and made sure there are no diseases if there is they send u back the bird and get there money back but they do not get there bill for the vet but all these things are ur choices of how u want to do it if u dont want to ship u could only sell to local people around there are some breeders who do tat as well

and yes i think some airlines need u to get a paper filled by the vet to make sure they dont carry any diseases
i have never shipped but i have read in artices about this stuff im also planning to breed birds mainly focused on sun conures

sorry if some of the things dont make sense im a horrible typer

I have been really concerned after reading that post myself about the safety and health of having a baby bird shipped to me. As for myself I have decided to trust the system so to speak because my deposit is sent, my heart is set and I just couldn't bring myself to give him/her up at this point but it does make me panic inside to think a bird in the same area or something could make my baby sick on the way home. I am just trusting that it is done safely all the time. From what my breeder told me Delta has climate controlled areas for the birds and stuff like that so it is the only one he will use to ship. I would love some responses to your post though IcyWolf as I am concerned myself.

The bird will be seen within 72 hours after I receive it by a local Avian Vet. I feel good about him because he is the Vet in Charge at the local Zoo also, will this show up in a blood test quickly? I would drive to IL from VA to pick him/her up myself but honestly thought that long car ride would be more traumatic than the short direct flight.

Not that makes sense. I'll guess I'll have to do some research on this, I live about 30 minutes from Harrisburg International Airport, I'm not sure if they ship animals there or not, but if it is possible, I would like to find somewhere that requires vet confirmation on the health of all animals being shipped. This isn't really a money issue to me either, I just want to put the birds through the least amount of stress possible so they can start their new families on the right foot.
I planned on having all of the babies vet checked before they go to their new homes regardless of whether they are being shipped or simply picked up in a car. I haven't decided on a health guarantee yet, if the babies are checked by an avian vet and get a clean bill of health, would it seem feasible to give them a week guarantee? I'm getting way ahead of myself here though, and should probably keep this post on the original topic

a week gurantee is pretty good its better than what the other breeders they only offer 72 hour gurantee u could also make a profit from dna testing tell them like extra 30 dollars for the test its what other breeders do but normally they only cost like 25

I've been reading online and I found delta's page pretty helpful, although it seems to pertain mostly to shipping dogs and cats. Pet First

And I also found this page. Air Travel Guide to Shipping Birds

I also read on another breeder's page that they ship their birds out of HIA using Delta's pet first so I'll assume that I could use that airport.

I would still love to hear opinions on the health aspect of this and get advice from those of you that have shipped or received birds from shipping.

cockatielfan17 said:

a week gurantee is pretty good its better than what the other breeders they only offer 72 hour gurantee u could also make a profit from dna testing tell them like extra 30 dollars for the test its what other breeders do but normally they only cost like 25

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Yes, I already have cards from avian biotech for DNA testing, I planned on having the amazon babies tested, I suppose I could offer it for the budgies as well, but personally, that kind of seems like a waste of money when they are dimorphic once they mature, so I would leave that up to the preference of the buyers. It is $20 for blood testing and I think $25 for feather testing, I prefer the nail method though, it seems less stressful than plucking multiple breast feathers, but that's just my opinion.

after u purchase the bird how long does it take for the bird to reach u is it like a day or it depends on where u live?

If you actually call the number on Delta's website about shipping animals they will answer all your questions. One breeder I talked to a few months ago assured me she never had a bird get lost or injured. Most breeders do seem to consider it easier on baby birds than adults. I'm not sure what the reason for that is. I guess maybe the babies deal with it better.

As for worrying about the bird opening the carrier, you can use some big zip ties on the door as well to ensure it stays shut. And do what Merlin's former owners did and cover the carrier in stickers that said things like "Bird can fly. Do not open!" "Live animal" "Keep her warm and talk to her".

They do put them on the plane last and take them off first. And the area they are in is heated.

The other posters before me gave you other good info.