Moving with a senior cockatiel

bug_n_flock

Well-known member
Jan 2, 2018
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207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Hey guys.


Great news: We are bringing my precious Alex back to the farm next weekend. HE IS FINALLY COMING HOME. Omg I have missed him so dang much over the past few months. I haven't even seen him since November 24th!!


I decided the stress and lost time from not having him here was not worth the extra safety he is enjoying sraying with my mom thru all this chaos of moving and rennovating and such. With spring *right* around the corner, we have decided to hold off on any questionable rennivations/repairs until nicer weather when we can wheel all birbos outside for extra safety, or they will be in their outdoor aviary by then(work in progress).



Anyway! I have moved with birds before, but not in a little while, and I would appreciate input to make sure I am doing this as safely as possible.



Situation: 17 year old more-precious-than-gemstones-and-gold cockatiel needs to move from suburban DC area to rural Kentucky(500 mile drive).



The plan:


Alex gets the snip. No flying for a little while for him.
Travel in a smaller cage with no hanging toys, swings, etc. Ride up off the car floor, either in my lap(not the driver) or seat belted in the back.

Small cage's doors and food access doors get taped shut.

Careful at stops, gas stations, etc. Weird smells get the air recirculated in the car.
Home cage will not have toys, etc rearranged on arrival so he feels more secure.
Spray millet like crazy
Probiotics and electrolytes in the water on arrival
Alex's cage will go in our bedroom, away from the budgers and quail, etc etc etc. He has been around some of the budgers before, but not in months and I think the move will be stress enough.



Should I have a pseudo quarantine period where he stays in bedroom away from other birds for a while to settle in?



I'm looking for input, but also just reassurance.


I'm flying to DC on Monday is the current plan, and we would be driving here Friday or Saturday, so still time to get everything in order.

*screams excitedly*

:yellow1::yellow1::yellow1::yellow1:
 

GaleriaGila

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May 14, 2016
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Cleveland area
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I can see sense in your plans!
I might suggest keeping the diet the same throughout????
Encouragement? You got it! I once traveled from New Mexico to Ohio with you-know-who about 20 years ago. We made it.
Good luck!
 

Flboy

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Dec 28, 2014
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Greater Orlando area, Florida
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JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Does he ever suffer from car sickness? If so, letting him se the motion through a window should help! Fortunately, 500 miles really isn’t too bad! Stay safe!
 
OP
bug_n_flock

bug_n_flock

Well-known member
Jan 2, 2018
1,371
207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
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I don't think so, but it has been years since he has been on any significant road trips. When I was a kid I would take him on family trips, though. That was *years* ago though. The farther vet I would take him to was around 20 minutes drive, so thats about the extent of his car usage in quite a while.
 

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