|
|
Post by timmah on Nov 15, 2016 21:42:28 GMT -5
Ok so I've done a heap of reading both online and books, and I reckon I've got most things planned or if they don't work out, how to deal with them. But I did have a couple of questions that don't seem to have a definitive answer. Just wondering what people have found worked for them. Coming home - cage or box? I've read that both are good - a cage because the bird can see out, and box because they can't (and won't get moved around as much). Does anyone have any preference for one over the other? Talking during car ride home? I saw siobhan's post about how she named her birds, which I reckon is great! I'd love to have my bird choose what he likes. But I have read that because the drive home can be stressful, it's better to not have your voice associated with it. The drive from the breeder will be about 10-15 minutes and pretty straight and flat. Taking the name choosing out of the equation for a minute, should I talk to him on the way? Or stay quiet till he's home? Thanks everyone  |
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Nov 15, 2016 22:12:03 GMT -5
I can only report what I did when I brought Ralph home. He came home from the pet store in a very small cardboard box, supplied by the store. Ralph wasn't too happy in that box, and harbored a dislike of cardboard boxes ever since. A small cage might have been better; then again, he might have developed a distaste for cages. I talked to him on the ten-minute drive from the store, to reassure him that he was safe and he'd be getting out of the car and the box in just a few minutes. That seemed to work well. He was delighted to step out of that unpleasant little box and into his big new cage once we got home.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Nov 15, 2016 23:55:51 GMT -5
I wasn't there for the ride home with Cupcake, as my family surprised me with her (it's a long story, and I wouldn't recommend surprising someone with a bird... but it worked out for us  ) ... However, I do happen to know that she did come home in a cardboard box, and didn't seem to like it one bit. That said, it did not seem to leave any lasting psychological damage, nor fear of boxes. I feel like Cupcake is relatively resistant to stress, so I'm not sure if she's a good example, but I can't imagine my family didn't talk to her during the ride home... Knowing them I would think they would have talked to her the whole time... And that too did not seem to have any negative lasting impact. But the concept of associating your voice with stress could be a valid one, so I think it probably varies... Long story short, I have no idea But yeah, cage would be better than a box, I would think. It's like the difference between being transported by being thrown in the back seat vs being thrown in the trunk. I know which one I'd choose... |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Nov 16, 2016 1:49:55 GMT -5
We had a spare bird cage we used to bring Bonnie home from the breeder (the cage package we bought with her was still in flat-pack packaging). We didn't set out particularly to talk or not talk on the way home, which was about a 50-minute drive. Now and then she'd make a noise from the back and we'd just say "good girl" or "it's OK". She was fine with that. I think it depends on the individual bird's temperament.
|
|
|
|
Post by timmah on Nov 16, 2016 2:11:48 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! It does seem like talking to him on the way home and a smalll cage would be the way to go. And I guess I'll need a travel cage for the vet as well, so won't be a one use thing oh, and this made me laugh too, Aaron haha |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Nov 16, 2016 4:45:32 GMT -5
And I guess I'll need a travel cage for the vet as well, so won't be a one use thing You might want to consider a bird backpack (I'm thinking of ordering one from the US when I can afford it). They're kind of expensive but at least you could use it to take your buddy on walks, as well as doubling as a transport cage. www.celltei.com - check Pak'o'Bird Medium Size (for quakers) |
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Nov 16, 2016 5:34:39 GMT -5
I've always used a travel cage for bringing a bird home, except with my grey, when the shelter put Allie in a cat carrier for transport - oh! the indignity. But at least she could see me on the five hour drive home. I've never thought about bad associations, but it isn't something I'd be overly worried about with a hand raised bird. At least they can see that they're with something that looks similar to their previous parront. I talk to them, too, in a reassuring tone. I've found this to be really useful: www.amazon.com/Perch-Clear-View-Carrier-Travel/dp/B002EO1OIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479292322&sr=8-1&keywords=bird+travel+cage |
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Nov 19, 2016 0:29:01 GMT -5
And I guess I'll need a travel cage for the vet as well, so won't be a one use thing You might want to consider a bird backpack (I'm thinking of ordering one from the US when I can afford it). They're kind of expensive but at least you could use it to take your buddy on walks, as well as doubling as a transport cage. www.celltei.com - check Pak'o'Bird Medium Size (for quakers) We have this bird backpack from celltei and can vouch for it... Very high quality and worth the money... It is a little hard to see through the fine mesh, but that also means it is indestructable to the bird, which is a huge plus We use it whenever we transport her anywhere. |
|
|
|
Post by timmah on Nov 20, 2016 6:29:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the backpack links I'll have to start saving I reckon. Also glad I chose a smallish bird! Those backpacks for a Grey or a Macaw are heaps!! |
|
|
|
Post by beccilouise on Nov 20, 2016 14:06:08 GMT -5
I have a birdie backpack too. It's not a proper pak-o-bird but it's really good and DEFINITELY worth the money! If you can, I'd go with a pak-o-bird one as they're strong and well made, but my backpack from Northern Parrots is pretty good too. I talked to Maya all the way home (it was 20 minutes in the car) and she has never been worried by my voice. I kept saying "it's ok little one, we're nearly home, just around this corner. You're doing great." I was talking very gently and I know she didn't understand WHAT I was saying, but I think she understood that it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Maya had been quite used to human voices, and if your little buddy also grew up around people, he won't associate the sound of voices with the car ride, because it'll be something he's already heard and understands. Also, if you've visited him a couple of times and spoken to him, he'll already know your voice.
I kept talking to Maya all the way up the stairs to the flat and while she was settling down in her new cage. She was really quite tired after we got home, so I showed her where the food and water was and left her perched on the food bowl. She basically just ate and slept for the first 12 hours or so and I tried hard to leave her to it, though I kept talking to her. This meant she had time to settle and could eventually explore her cage, check out her new toys and settle in.
|
|
) ... However, I do happen to know that she did come home in a cardboard box, and didn't seem to like it one bit. That said, it did not seem to leave any lasting psychological damage, nor fear of boxes. I feel like Cupcake is relatively resistant to stress, so I'm not sure if she's a good example, but I can't imagine my family didn't talk to her during the ride home... Knowing them I would think they would have talked to her the whole time... And that too did not seem to have any negative lasting impact. But the concept of associating your voice with stress could be a valid one, so I think it probably varies... Long story short, I have no idea 
