Moving with birds

[Sparkles99]

Does anyone have any tips for moving with birds?

We’re moving next month. The cages are going with the movers, but I’m using ‘starter’ cages as carriers. I’m going to reinforce them so the bottoms don’t fall off, etc. I’m particularly worried about losing someone.

Would you recommend putting the original pairings in each carrier or putting budgies with their chosen buddies? I’m on the fence, because the latter option would leave some budgies in a carrier with a budgie they didn’t really know well, past & present. I’d prefer to avoid any further support of the ‘starter’ cage industry.

The new building office staff let problems fester instead of dealing with them which has greatly diminished our quality of life here.

But the straw that broke the camel’s back is definitely the couple who don’t want to share the backyard & have repeatedly threatened me & my dog with their XL pitbull for over 3 months now. I hope the new building will be better managed.

 

[Emma&pico]

I am so sorry you have to find yourself moving especially being threatened but I am also glad you are able to remove yourself from the situation and I really hope your new home is amazing and everything you want

how far are you moving ?

when I moved it was actually a lot easier than I thought and birds weren’t affected hardest part I found was getting their cages set up quickly but I had to totally dismantle their cages
I kept all three separate but none of mine were bonded I had millet and water available mine was a 11/2hour drive I did have to cover indie as she got a bit freaked out going from house to car but was fine once in car pico didn’t care just kept doing flips of carrier sides onto perch

good luck with your move sorry not much help

 

[Emma&pico]

I think when I posted about moving house I am sure but maybe wrong @Zara gave some very good advice

 

[Sparkles99]

Thanks! It’s only about 25 minutes from here.

 

[Shezbug]

I would keep your birds in the groups or pairings they chose/prefer or with whoever they show to be most comfortable with.
I would try to get the main cage to the new place and set up while your birds are in the smaller cages in the house they are already familiar with, then when you move them to the new scary unknown home they can go into their familiar cages which should help lessen their stress or worry about the new environment.
I try to make pet moving happen on its own so I am totally focussed on them and not mentally divided between other moving tasks and them and I try to get them to the new place before all the furniture is moved there- it is less stressful for them watching stuff they know appear at the new environment than it is watching their environment be taken apart and away.

I am currently packing and trying to get to my new place with quite a few hurdles to leap in the process which is driving me mad but it is what it is lol. I hope your move goes smoothly and you all settle in to your new home asap

 

[rocky'smom]

I have some suggestions if you want. 1.put the birds up in their travel cages the night before you're going to move. Make sure that they can't get out or be released by accident and visit them often to comfort any fretting they might have. Put them in a room where they're the only thing in that room and they can't be disturbed by the movers or anything else. Put some of their favorite toys and treats in that travel cage.
2.Once into new home set them out of the way until all the movers are gone and you can set up there normal cage. Make sure that places they have never seen are closed until you get them in their normal cage. Bebe got out into my room screened in porch and has melt down. And by that stage I had meltdown too. Keep their bedtime and wake up time the same as before. Same with cuddle time. 3. Give them at least 24 hours just being in their "house" before you let them explore. Be mindful of places they might not understand like closets, cupboard doors and sneaky places they can hide. Bebe disappeared for about 1 hour and I was in panic mode. He was hiding behind my teapot collection where I couldn't see him. He came out of there bat out of hades landed on my head and flew back to his cage.
Good luck with your move and I hope it goes smoother then mine did .

 

[Sparkles99]

Thank you all!

I’m pleased to report that I listened to this advice, particularly about moving them separately on a different day than the stuff, & all 10 budgies are settling in well.

They are mad. Marzipan, Hickory & Macadamia were extremely well behaved. Aurelius & especially Ernest really bit me. I get told off a lot too.

I had to rent a U-Haul, but I just drove slowly.

 

[Shezbug]

So glad you are all moved in to the new place and hopefully well on your way to being settled in.

 

[tka]

Welcome to the forum!

This is an older post from October 2023 so it's safe to say that everyone is in their new home

 

[Sparkles99]

Yes, they’re correct that we’re safely settled, Brewslee.

 

[LiveLolBrd]

25 min isn't far. try watching this vid!