Traveling with birds in winter

Some of you may remember me from back this summer when I was asking questions about Sun Conure and Cockatiel care because my FIL was neglecting his birds and my SIL was trying to talk him into giving them up. I didn't end up getting the birds this summer because my FIL refused to admit he couldn't care for them and wouldn't let us take them.

Well now he actually said this week that he is going to send his birds home with us when we go up for Christmas. So I have to figure out how to safely transport two birds in the cold. Of course he can't let us have the birds when it is warm out and easy to safely transport them. He has to wait till winter when it is much risker. I love the man but sometimes I want to throttle him for the stuff he puts us all thru.

Anyway, enough venting, if he does actually release the birds to us I will have a 12yo Sun Conure and a 10yo cockatiel to bring home. It is a 10hr trip from my FIL's in Wisconsin to my house in Nebraska. There will be multiple stops because we can't do it in one straight shot.

What is the best way to transport the birds to keep them warm? When we make quick 5-10min stops for gas and potty breaks is it ok to leave the birds in the car or should I take them into the gas station with me? How about food breaks? I would like to be able to be out of the car for at least 15-30 min. I was going to bring them in with me. Would they be warm enough if I wrapped a thick towel around the travel cages for the trip from the car to the restaurant?

Thanks

I've never done a big trip like that but I have transported birds in cold weather with no problem. Just make sure you warm the car up good before you bring the birds out and wrap the cage/carrier really well. (I wrap mine in big thick blankets) Good luck!

As SC mentioned above, as long as you've got good heat, you will be OK, but I'd forget taking the birds into restaurants and/or fuel stops because the cold shock of moving between the vehicle, building and back is not really good for the birds in freezing weather...plus many restaurants and/or places serving food do not allow animals where the food is served/consumed, not to mention state and/or local laws/ordinances..., better to leave someone in the vehicle if it is too cold to turn the vehicle off.....

While it may have been more convenient for you to pick up the birds in warm weather, he has agreed to give them up and though you may prefer to sit longer at a refreshment stop, we parrot people usually have to make accommodations for our birds, not ask them to accommodate our proclivities.....

All of my guys & I have made a number of long trips, so I wouldn't hesitate to drive it.....have even driven from Bellevue to Rapid City one time, though it was in the summer, when it was hot & there were not but a couple of places for a rest stop, but then you'll be going the other direction.....


Enjoy your trip.....

Warm the car up 100% before moving the birds. Move them in a carrier rather than a cage, something with ventilation but mostly solid sides. Once the car is warm wrap the carrier in a thick blanket and hustle it out to the car. If luggage needs to be loaded, that should be done before the car is warm so just you and the birds are left. Wrap them up, put them in the car, get in, and leave them wrapped until the car temp normalizes after having the doors open.

For gas stops etc, wrap the birds back up before opening the door. DO NOT remove the birds from the vehicle. If you are traveling with a second person you can leave one in the car to leave it running, or if you are able, leave the car running but locked. Do not unwrap the birds until you are again on your way and the car is once again warm. Be sure the birds are not placed on the drafty floor of an older vehicle, and take off your layers to be sure you are getting an accurate feel for the temp.

I'm from SD and went to school in MN, the sub zero temps are a danger to pets being moved but you can do it if you are careful. Be sure to have an easily accessible emergency road kit just in case, since. A road mishap could be the end of the birds. I am sure you are familiar with an emergency kit, but in case you aren't....
Kitty litter
Coffee can or soup can
Candle
Toilet paper
Extra food and water for you and the birds
Chemical hand warmers
Flash lit
Small shovel
Bright red cloth, preferably blanket sized
Inflated spare tire, working jack, etc....

Remember if you aren't safe and warm, neither are your birds and we all know how easily winter weather can kill (my first funeral was for a man who froze to death in his car, I take this stuff seriously,)