Car Trips

Post by **kyria** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:11 pm

In a fortnight we are heading up to Melbourne, 2 hours away, to stay with my parents (they have one very naughty budgie). It will be Kai's first car trip bar the one when I first brought him home and the one to the vet.

Any suggestions on travelling him, and should I do some short trips as practice runs to get him use to it ? never thought about taking him around with me, a little scared of losing him etc. but would love to have him as a come along with me anytime type of bird, is this possible.

There is no way I could have someone come and sit or have him at someone elses house, no way, I can't be away from him for more than a few hours as it is.

Cheers! and thanks in advance for any advice.

Post by **Datsun and Family** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:15 pm

Datsun literally comes EVERYWHERE with us! She loves the car and is happiest sitting on my knee while James drives, she chatters away and sings and dances.

Datsun has come along in the car with us since she was 8 weeks old so is used to it. I would take Kai on short FUN trips where he gets lots of treats and see how you go. Good Luck!

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 5:24 pm

Ditto, my girls love it!

Jade · Post by **Jade** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:47 pm

Chook loves car trips too. He doesn't shut up the whole way. Of course, he also loves to see out the window so has poll position on my shoulder or the headrest the whole way

Post by **kyria** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:47 pm

I'm a little worried about having Kai out on my shoulder , what if he gets spooked and flutters around, I would love to try it but a little scared to.

Well I might just take him for a quick drive to drop the girls off at school tomorrow and see how it goes :shock:

Wish me luck !

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:05 am

If he is clipped he cant flutter away baby.

How far does he flutter? Like through the house? If he flutters a few feet even yards, I assure you, you have nothing to worry about.

Test him: Hold him in the palm of your hand and in an upwards motion facing from you, encourage him to fly. See how far he goes. That will be his max, he isnt hiding any flying ability I assure you.

Take that baby out for some freash air.

Post by **kyria** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:58 am

He has been out into our fernery once .. but I worry about neighbours cats, passing dogs and I worry about him maybe climbing up a tree and not coming down or.. I don't know I am just stressin.

He can't fly very far at all he only has the confidence to jump flutter from a small coffee table. Or from the branch to the side of his cage which is only about 1 and 1/2 feet across.

But .. But.. oh hmm .. its the big bad world out there .. what if.. he flutters into a hole or behind a shed or .. or..

:shock:

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !

I think I need to just ignore my husband and his scepticism and just go for it.

Its my first time with a bird of my own. And I love him so much I am like mother duck following him every second.

Hubby says things like. " If he gets away you will hate yourself ". "If he hurst himself you will be so sad"

I just got to go do it I guess, and see that it will be just fine.

Thanks !

Neokireina · Post by **Neokireina** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:04 am

There are many dangers taking your bird outside on your shoulder while clipped.

Even clipped they can get some height enough to be a problem maybe fly over the fence into a yard with a dog, or into a pool, or into traffic.
I'm not saying dont take your birdie outside. Just be very aware of what could happen and do your best to avoid these situations..

Also hawks would have no problems taking your pet of your shoulder. Noisy miners wouldnt care if you were there or not and would have a go at your bird.

If you take them in the car of course never have your window open. He should be fine in the car.

Post by **kyria** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:06 am

Thanks everyone !

Post by **kyria** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:22 am

Well my husband just put an end to that idea. He won't let me take him free in the car, its caged or nothing

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:23 pm

Ugh, thanks Neo... you know what a wigger I am. Now Im scared to take my babies out. :cry:

Mean girl! -pulls your pony tail and runs-

Neokireina · Post by **Neokireina** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:09 pm

Bah. I said be *aware* of danger. Not to keep him inside all the time.
I used to take my birdies outside when they were clipped. They would roam around the back yard. Niamh would chase pigeons. Omg that was funny watching the bird run full pelt down the back hard after a bird 5 times it's size.
We had cats and a dog. Dog would be locked inside and cats I would keep an eye out for. Back yards are fairly secure, esp if they on the ground they cant gain height, if they are on your shoulder they can gain a little.

It's like anything, you shouldnt drive a car without being aware of how dangerous it is, people still drive, prepared and aware that there are idiots out there with them.

Rosemary · Post by **Rosemary** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:40 am

Hi there, we live in Central Otago New Zealand, we put Bobby's cage on a hook under a large Orange Blossom tree, each afternoon I open up his cage and he has a great time climbing the tree, but she always answers us when we call her. It is close to a balcony on our house, she loves to run around the rail whistling and chattering, and stays there until the last sun has gone in the evenings.
We also have taken her to Dunedin which is 3 hours drive away with no problems at all, she is a very placid bird and nothing seems to be a bother to her. She has clipped wings but can flutter down if she wants to. give it a go, all makes for a happy IRN.