Any advice for helping a 2-oz. budgie survive a move by car from U.S. East to West Coast?

Question

Concerned about whether he'll eat, vibration in car, stress and bird-friendly hotel stops. Planning to drive, only stopping for sleep, without detours.

Answer 1

You'll have to keep a good eye on him. Make sure the car isn't too hot of cold and keep the cage mostly covered. Make sure there is food and water for him to eat and check it doesn't spill out!

Make sure you take out any swinging toys which could hit him as you travel.

Make frequent, if short, stops to check on your bird and give him a bit of fresh air. Provide the birds favorite treat, like millet, and also lots of high water content fruit and veggies, like watermelon and lettuces, to keep up his fluid consumption.

The furthest I have moved my budgies on a 4 hour trip with only one stop but they hold up fairly well on longer trips! Do a few searches on the internet for some more tips!

I'm not sure about bird-friendly hotel stops but I think you will have to plan those ahead of time becuase they might be fairly rare.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well!

Answer 2

i would keep him out of the draft while window is down keep him cover that should keep him calm  plus water and food

Answer 3

Th first two answers were good, the second quite good and pretty complete. All I can add is that last summer I successfully crossed the country with four cockatiels, one Amazon, one Macaw, and a small parakeet. They made the trip in good condition. I think what helped is that they were with their flock (us humans and each other). We stayed in Holiday Inn Express every night; they charge a little more for a pet, but not a lot. And they have free breakfasts (not just pastries), too, so you don't have to go into a restaurant and leave your birdie in the car. That would be the worst thing to do - in summer heat the bird could easily die. We had to take turns eating our meals so we could keep the car air conditioning on so the birds would not suffer.

One late spring we trailered across country with three of the birds, and had no trouble. We stopped at every rest area to let the birds out of their cages for a few minutes, and when it got hot we wet them down.

Answer 4

Birds are actually good car travelers.  Just keep the bird in a cage in the back seat.  Allow the bird to see what is going on so he does not get freaked out.  And make sure no AC air is blowing directly on him.  Do not worry about the hotel, just sneak the bird into the hotel, since it is night time, the bird will sleep anyways (no one will know the bird is even there).  I have traveled long distances with my birds with no problem.

Answer 5

I have traveled with my parakeets a lot (pictures below);

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davewomach/...

And they do fine. I'd get a travel cage that lets some light come in because light has a great effect on their mood. I've never had them get stressed from the car or vibration. Just keep them out of direct drafts so they don't get stressed out and then get sick from it. Also, keep them in the room you are in, preferably covered depending on the temperature of your hotel room. I stayed in a hotel room that was fine for me but the bathroom it had in it got insanely cold so make sure they are in the same room as you so you know the temperature.

Good luck with your trip! Bring toys and millet as rewards for your bird and stuff to do.