Should I Hold My New Bird On The Way Home?

Question

I am getting a baby hand-raised cockatiel today, and the ride home is 1 1/2 hr. So i was wondering if i should hold him on the ride home. Or at least just let him out of the box that he'll be in, and just let him sit on me. What should i do?

Answer 1

Besides the fact that he needs to get used to you, there's also a huge safety issue there.  It's extremely dangerous to have a bird loose in a moving car (especially a new one, who's more likely to freak out) because the driver (especially if it's you, but even if not) ends up trying to watch the bird and the road at the same time, which doesn't work, and if the bird flies in front of the driver's face, bam, instant crash.  Or even if the bird does sit still, if you get into an accident, he has no protection at all.  It's just way too big a risk to be worth taking.

Answer 2

no dont handle the bird.

and dont leave the bird in a 'box'

have it in a travelling cage, were water is provided along with a millet spray

keep it dark with a sheet and the case and car ventailted with fresh air

Answer 3

I would'nt hold him until your home put him in the box and then hold the box and just talk to him and let him get use to your voice first thats how I do it with all mybirds good luck

Answer 4

You do not want to hold the bird. What if something happens. You could injury the bird and yourself. If you have to hold something place the box in your lap. Talk to him. You want him to be as stressless as possible. This way he learns that you are not going to let anything happen to him.  

Answer 5

No, I would not take him out it's not sage. I know they put the new bird in a box or a bag, but whould I would do is buy a travling cage  (seems how you will most likely use it to transport your bird in the futrue) this way theres more space and it might not be AS scarry. Have you read about how you should take care of your little reathered guy? If not here is a site to get you started, also buy books if you have nto already. Good Luck! http://parrotcentral.net/bringing_home_y...  http://parrotcentral.net/housing_a_bird.... http://parrotcentral.net/list_of_toxins_...  

Answer 6

Michelle is right, just let him stay in his box, make sure he can't see out too much as he will get stressed, and just talk to him.

Make sure his cage is set up properly before you bring him home so you don't have to muck around with it before putting him in it.

Cover one half of the cage at home with a light colored cloth, and leave it there until the evening, when you can cover the whole cage at his bedtime. Make sure that there is enough air getting in with the cover on, but not enough so it's draughty. This will all help him to adjust well to his new home, settle in and feel comfortable.

I would recomend trying to pick him up in the morning so he has the best part of a day to get familiar with his cage before it's bed time.

On the first day, I would try to leave him there for the whole day and not get him out, just talk to him so he gets to know you, when he feels comfortable in his cage you can get him out and play with him.

Another important and much forgotten thing to remember with new birds (and pets in general) is that you need to work out BEFORE you get him how much time you are going to spend with him every day and at what time you will be playing with him, and try to create a routine from day one.

Many people get a new bird, play with it all the time for the first few weeks, the bird is out of the cage for most of the day, and then after a while they stop getting the bird out so much and only get it out for an hour or so after work, and the bird feels depressed and lonely because it thought it was going to get that much attention the whole time. Before you know  it, you have a depressed, stressed, emotionally unstable screaming bird.

If you can get it right at the beginning, then the bird will only ever expect that amount of attention, and you should have a much nicer and happier pet!

Hope that helps and good luck with your new baby!

Answer 7

I would'nt recommend touching him until abouit 48 hours after putting him in the cage, thios will reduce stress levels massivly!

Remember top talk to your bird on the way hime and while he's in his cage, he will get used to your voice and trust you more!

Answer 8

No, the bird will be very stressed and may freak out.  Keep him in a  box with holes in it so he cannot see what is going on.  Even if you put him in a cage for the ride home, he may get scared and start to flap a lot and hurt his wings on the cage bars.  A box that is just large enough for him to be comfortable is best. If it is too big he can still flap and hurt himself.   Make sure there are holes in it. When you get him home, keep him in his cage, and leave him alone for at least a week until he gets used to the new surroundings.  Just talk to him, but don't handle him.  Make sure that he gets 9 hours of sleep each night in a darkened room ( no tv or radio) with his cage covered.  You may have to leave a small night light on for him because cockatiels are known to get "night frights" for a while until they are older.  Please read my profile.