Quaker help!

[KatieLovesQuakers]

I have a 3 year old male quaker named Mikko.

I adopted Mikko from a neglectful home where he was left in his cage and became emotionally hurt and territoral. That was over a year ago. Now he adores me and we spend all our time together, but he still attacks and is frightened of everybody else.

My problem is that Mikko and I are too attached. I've been trying to work with him on this, but the longest I have left him was 2 nights, and we were both miserable. He became frantic and distressed even though he was with my family (who he sees daily). Having depression issues in the past, my 'security blanket' and best friend being away from me was hard. Ever since I have taken him traveling, but never for more than 3 hours.

I am supposed to go to Texas for one week (really 8 days 7 nights including travel). It is about a 21 hour drive from my house to there. I have been fighting to try to get the other members of our group of travellers to allow a bird to come (as long as he is with me in the car he's usually well behaved) but it's not working. Now they need a desicion: am I leaving without the bird or staying home.

I really want to go on the trip. Unfortunatly, nobody Mikko knows very well will be home. He chews his foot when hes nervous so I'm worried he may hurt himself. Most pet sitters don't want to watch him either, for fear of him screaming and biting. I only had one offer to let him stay at their house, but they have a cat :/ . If i stay home he would love it, because i have the days off (he freaks when I'm just gone a few hours for work!) but my whole family would be upset with me. I think that i would always be the one who ruined our trip by not going, and if i don't go others will have to stay back to.

Whick is more important, risking my little bird being really upset and bored for a week or risking loosing my families respect because I love the bird more? Please help!!!! Sorry I'm just lost without him and I don't know what to do

 

[MikeyTN]

I've been out on trips before leaving a friend at the house to care for my babies while I'm gone. But now with so many, no one is willing except one friend who LOVES animals. She is the only one that is willing...lol

It's not easy to travel anywhere with birds at home. I was lucky that my animals are self-sufficient, of course they do miss me. Plus I call everyday to check on them making sure they're fine. I have my phone by me 24/7 while I'm gone, plus I have bird friends that can come by when there's an emergency. I leave my vet's number and write down all the care the babies needs. I stock my fridge full of food, drinks, etc. Anything they need. Having someone staying over is the best thing! My friend feels like she's on vacation when she's watching my animals...

 

[Miriam]

Wow..that is a tough one! When we've left our birds in our families hands we usually came home to a bird that ignored us for awhile to let us know she was upset... A Quaker.....but we knew she would come around and just be happy that we were back.

Now you have to decide from past experience... How is Mikko going to react...will he chew his foot and really hurt himself..or will he stop.... You may lose the trust you've gained over this past year, or maybe he'll be so happy to have you back he'll forgive you right away. Only you can ultimately decide what is best for you and your bird...

How much time do you have before you would leave? Enough to start getting him used to someone else feeding him...first with you there, then without you?would a recording of your voice help? Just a few thoughts coming to me. Sorry I couldn't be of any more help:52:

 

[KatieLovesQuakers]

Thanks for the advice!

I still don't know for sure if I'm going yet. I was thinking I would just have to stay home, but an old pet sitter of mine ended up having her plans cancelled and offered to let him stay at her house. I like the idea of a voice recording, I've talked on th ephone to him before but he doesnt like phones so maybe a video.....

I was also going to have him go in another cage if Mikko should go to her house. Its easier to transport, but I'm worried that would be too much change for the little guy so I'll probably just let him stay in his large cage.

I have 2 last questions... First, has anybody left a bird with unfamiliar people that long? He's met the sitter before but doesnt particularly like he (Mikko used to be flighted and would dive bomb her). A week seems so long when he doesn't even like being away for a few hours.

My other question is should she take him out of the cage? I'm aware that they need the one on one time and to not be cooped up in a cage (he's used to a playstand most the day). Unfurtunatly, he won't come out for anyone except me but oand will only go in from climbing around on the top of the cage on his own terms. The sitter said she could towel him to get him into the cage if its a problem, but he had bad experiences with towels in the past and hates them. Is it worth it? Personally, i think he would rather stay away from the strangers and secure in his cage but who knows with these crazy quakers!

 

[MikeyTN]

During the time I'm away, I did not allow anyone to take them out while I was away. You just never know....Also leaving the tv on for them to watch is a good thing...I let mine watch disney or children's programs...

 

[Parrot Parent]

Leaving him for a week might be good for both of you. You can leave videos for him to comfort him and call daily to check how he is doing. Heck you can even web cam him with today's technology. It might be good because you can both learn to be a little more independent from each other. And if worse comes to worse you can always go back or schedule for maybe 4 days instead of 8. Baby steps

 

[suebee]

i think if the sitter just starts with simple leaving cage door open for mikko?? but making sure ALL exit routes are closed off 1st, even if he don't come out, his got the choice to.
if she towels him, he'll just see this as being forced to come out etc

telly on is good i leave music on for nut

as for recorded voice?? when nut hears my man (her fav person) on phone she goes nuts!! attacks phone! so could make your bird more anxious, mikko can hear you, but cannot see you etc

nut was VERY bonded to my brother, when she moved up to me, he came a wk later with her main cage, she forgave him, her whole body shivered and eyes pinned with delight at seeing him, she made little chuffy noises etc my heart broke for her when he left, i made him put her in the cage and lock it, her cage is in room window, so she saw him drive off. she kinda went really quiet, and i think she knew this was her new home

so go on your trip, as for cage? i'd say big one and ask your sitter if cage can go in a possition where mikko can see whats going on in household mikko might not want to come out, so be it, but he wont be cramped

hope all goes well for you both

 

[lorri]

I haven't got a quaker but reading your post is a tough one as reading further of your replies I've come up with a suggestion. If you do decide to go on this trip and you can ring your freind who will have your quaker, you can ring her every day and ask her to to put the phone close to his ear so he can hear your voice. I know it's not the same as seeing you but it may work or not, it's worth a try