Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    
    I drove cross country with 2 keets about 10 years ago.  They were in
    their regular cage, only I believe I took some of the extra perches
    out.  I think I covered the back and sides of the cage to protect
    them from drafts, but left the front open so they could look out.
    I strapped the cage in using the seat belt on the back seat.
    
    The keets spent most of the trip doing just what they did at home each
    day: eating, making a mess, making noise, and hopping about. (My car
    STILL had bird seed embedded in the carpet it when I sold it 
    8 years later!)
    
    The main problem I encountered is that they really freaked out if I
    drove after dark, even if they were covered.  We were driving about 8
    to 10 hours each day, so learned to stop at dusk.  They weren't too
    fond of rainstorms either, but I couldn't do much to avoid them!
    
    The sqwaking got to be a little annoying, but we learned to just
    turn up the radio louder!
    
    Jennifer

    
    ...couple of things about car transport (reiterating .-1)...
    
    (1)	   Cover 2/3 sides of the cage with a *thick* blanket, in order to 
           'contain' the temporary environment. I think it's a good idea if
           the birds can watch you, through the 'open' side.	
    
    (2)	   Lower/remove perch(es), and remove bells, mirrors, etc.
    
    Any use ?
    
    Jim Burke
    

    Another hint...I use dog carriers (the kind with the grates on the
    front). My birds love to ride in them, and use the grate to hang on. 
    
    Question...has anyone used the Porta Polly carriers?
    
    Nancy
    

    I don't know what kind my cage is, it's a heavy duty dog carrier,
    about medium size, with grate in front and sides.  My macaw typically
    tries to hold onto a grate on the side for the entire trip.
    
    Ed
    

    I have taken small birds with me in the passenger compartment of planes
    going from California to Massachusetts with no problem.  I use the
    small carrier with the grill on the top.  It has a slider in the 
    grill that is about 3" x 3" - perfect for getting small birds in
    and out, and their food, without the usual risk of them getting 
    away.  I also found it easier to monitor how they were doing with
    the top being the grill, rather than the front, due to the wonderful
    space constraints on the plane.  In the car the carrier Ed Moehlenpa
    mentions is a good idea and I have seen it work well.  The sides
    keep out most of the scary movements, and you can monitor the birds
    through the front grate.  BTW, by 'small' I mean conures and bourke's
    parrakeets.  Lesson learned the hard way....NO water dish in the
    carrier.  Cut up apples, oranges, grapes, or provide whatever soft
    foods the bird likes, in a stable tub-style dish that is not so 
    heavy that if it gets jostled it will hurt the bird.  A millet spray
    on the floor of the cage is good for perching (again, small birds,
    like budgies), play, and food energy.  Have a spare dish handy and
    give the bird a chance at water when you stop for a rest or are
    between planes!! ;')  The chill that can result from water spilling
    isn't worth it if you can provide moisture in another way.  
    
    Beware that most domestic airlines limit the number of birds
    or other pets in the passenger compartment and advise *reservations*,
    believe it or not, so you are not refused at the gate.  Also, you have
    to be ready to supply a vet's health certificate, bill of sale, and
    actual opening of the carrier, depending on the airline.  I refused to
    open the carrier once and got away with it by saying that the bird was
    not tame, was guaranteed to bite, hard, anyone it got close to, and 
    that if it got away or died from fright I would sue the individual
    security guard and the airline....needless to say I was frazzled from
    jet lag and in no mood to lose my bird, and it showed.  But a friend of
    mine had to undo all the safety straps and special arrangements she had
    made to house her birds for about a 5 second 'inspection' by a security
    guard.  She (and they) were lucky the birds didn't get out.  
    
    On car travel, I would never let a bird loose, but I know of one person
    who successfully drove a hundred miles with a large parrot on her
    shoulder, so who knows??  (But I am also the type that doesn't let the
    cats run around loose in the car, either.)  We moved about thirty-five
    birds about fifty miles in a variety of temporary carriers with no
    ill effects.  Move at night if the weather is hot, unless your birds
    are known to get night-fright, then be sure to shield them on the
    back, top, and three sides to reduce the chance of heat-stroke.  Know
    how hot it gets when you are driving a long way with the sun on your
    side?  Imagine how hot the cage can get.  If the weather is cold, 
    try moving during the day to be sure there is enough heat!! ;') But
    if you are fortunate enough to have a car or van that has a
    thermostatically controlled interior, you are all set...
    
    When you move your birds, let us know how it goes.....?
    
    Linda

    There is some guy in the valley here who has a special perch in
    the back of his Ford Escort for his B&G.  I've seen him commuting
    back up to the North Bay.  The bird faces backwards and looks out
    the rear window.
    
    I've gotten to where carrier is the better solution, because she
    wants to ride on a shoulder instead of sitting still on an arm or
    something.  We occasionally take her to the store or to fast food
    drive through sitting on an arm, but she's a little timid.
    
    Ed
    

Thanks everyone... 

My move was nerve racking but all went well.... I used my small Hoei cage but 
I think next time I'll use my dog carrier.  I had a rental truck and tied the
cage in a spot between the two seats and covered the cage on three sides, and
lowered the perch.  Unfortunately, Sydney was car sick most of the way... more
the second day than the first... phew... it smelled terrible, so I was on pins
and needles the whole trip, poor Sydney, I felt worse for him. 

He appears to be normal but has developed some pecular behaviors since the move,
but I don't think the move has anything to do with it.


Thanks for all the suggestions...

Cheryl