Leaving the flock for vacation

[Totallybatty]

Has anyone had experience boarding birds? Just wondering what to do if I travel outside the US. My Gray goes with me on most road trips, I also have a Goffins, a conure, a budgie and a cockatiel. Maybe pay a pet sitter? Most are only experienced with dogs and cats...

 

[rocky'smom]

@sunnysmom

 

[rocky'smom]

I called some one that can help you find a bird sitter. also call your vet clinic and ask them if they have tech that would be willing to come in a couple times a days and check on your flock.

 

[Clueless]

Has anyone had experience boarding birds? Just wondering what to do if I travel outside the US. My Gray goes with me on most road trips, I also have a Goffins, a conure, a budgie and a cockatiel. Maybe pay a pet sitter? Most are only experienced with dogs and cats...

I have someone come to my home. It's less stressful on the birds in my humble opinion. I have detailed care instructions and the name and contact info for the vet.

I know a friend who has someone STAY in her home during vacations.

 

[JLcribber]

What would you do with your 5 children if you wanted to go on vacation without them? Same exact situation. You need to hire someone who can be trusted and has real experience looking after birds. They either need to stay in your home or come at least twice a day and spend time with them. Not just fill the food bowls and leave.

To board a bird you're looking at anywhere from $20 to $30 per bird per day. So your looking at around $150 per day for 5 birds to board them out. For that kind of money you can pay someone to do it right.

 

[Doublete]

I have a close friend who is experienced with all animals (former vet tech) stay in my home and take care of all my critters.

 

[sunnysmom]

Believe it or not, I found a pet sitter on Care.com. Before that I had tried using friends, but I always felt like I was imposing, and actually wasn't 100% comfortable leaving my tiel with them. Much to my surprise, not only did I have about 15 people apply to be my tiel's pet sitter but 3-4 were really good candidates. The one I selected was fantastic- and had coincidentally even been a vet tech for my vet. You can ask for references, etc. I had her come a number of times before we actually went away so she and my tiel could get to know each other. (He loved her.) And it ended up being a great arrangement for us.

 

[Princessbella]

I agree with everyone here. I only have a cockatiel and I board her but the people who I board her with are like family to me but for so many birds, it will get very expensive and it may be better to get someone to come to your home.

 

[jojomom]

It depends on how long. If im only gonna be gone a few days then my sister comes over every morning and night. She stays for a while so everyone gets out and about and plenty of attention. If we are going to be gone more than a week we pack everybody up with all their toys and cages and they go to grandmas house. Its a huge pain mainly cause of all their stuff. Thats why we have only gone away for vacation a couple of times. Once I took the kids on vacation and left hubby at home with the pets!

 

[BirdGuy21]

We have a local parrot supply shop that is family run and the owner will board birds at her home. She only charged $7 per day for the Conure's, and a few bucks for the Parakeet. (We only had three birds at the time.) Call your vet and see if they have any recommendations.

 

[AviaryByTheSea]

What would you do with your 5 children if you wanted to go on vacation without them? Same exact situation.

I totally disagree!!! If I had 5 kids and wanted to go away on Vacation I would simply pawn them off on the ex, my ex in-laws.... or perhaps even the first person I came across at the supermarket or homeless shelter!!! These are precious birds we are talking about.... totally different, they are much more important and require specialized care!!!

LOL kidding, KIDDING!!!

JLcribber is correct.... You need someone who can do it right, who preferably has some EXPERIENCE with birds and who will LISTEN to your safety rules. Like Don't bring your DOG, don't open windows.... etc. I have a friend who will stay at my house, who is experienced with my birds and totally understands my rules. The birds love him... but they love almost everyone.

Make sure whoever you get knows all your vet info and knows where the carrier is... God forbid its needed. Make certain your vet has you CC info on hand just in case. Accidents happen...