travelling with a budgie

[Mybluebird]

In about 10 days I'll be picking up a young budgie and driving with him and friend for about 6 hours to my home. I'm looking for hints and suggestions to make the trip comfortable and safe for him. We'll be driving from AZ through the California desert to my home near LA so weather won't be a worry (hopefully, it won't rain!).

 

[Shezbug]

 

[Fuzzy]

Have you got a travel cage for him with the right bar spacing? I'd also take a towel to partly cover the cage. Don't know if he would eat fruit, but that is a source of moisture. Otherwise when you stop off, I'd add a water bowl for him to drink from. Water will spill everywhere if you leave it in whilst driving. If you put a toy inside the cage, tie it to the side where it can't move much rather than from the top where it could knock him off his perch. A rope perch might be easier for a young budgie to grip? Hopefully more suggestions will come rolling in...

 

[Mybluebird]

Thanks for the suggestions. There is a good travel cage with the correct bar spacing. He does eat fresh food, not sure about fruit. What's a good fruit that won't get gross - orange sections, do budgies eat citrus? We'll stop about every 2 hours to stretch a few minutes. If I put water in his dish at the breaks, do you think he'll take drink and not be too scared? I do have a rope perch that I can put in his cage.

 

[camelotshadow]

Leafy greens...If its not really hot it will be ok. A towel to cover the cage partially to keep them feeling secure & not to see traffic or get too much sun...Cover 2 sides & top...will make them feel safe..They might nap...

Congrats!!!

 

[Mybluebird]

Thanks - I can do that!

 

[camelotshadow]

I meant 3 sides & top..thing is to give them a place to sit back & not worry what is behind or around them...open front...

 

[Fergus Mom]

When I traveled with Lucy I'd put her just in front of the seat in the back seat on the floorboard because I think the lower they are the more stable the cage will be. (hopefully). My Lucy loved to travel, and it's a darn shame I didn't take her more places, it was later in her life that I discovered her love for travel. Before I moved in 2002 and was house hunting we were gone for at least a week that time. She even got to go to the beach in her cage (covered mostly cuz of the breeze) but she had a gap in the front she could look out of and she was mimicking the little sandpipers running back and forth on the beach! She was running back and forth on her perch when I peeped in! Gosh I miss Lucy! Have a safe trip @Mybluebird and have fun. I would think he would be fine for 6 hours as long as he gets water after you stop. If you had to risk opening the cage for the water breaks, I'd rather not do that I mean.

 

[Mybluebird]

Great! Thanks - good suggestions. I'm making a list of what I need to do/take with me so the trip will be good for him. Everything will be set up ready for him when we arrive home.

 

[Lady Jane]

Best not to put hanging toys in the cage for safety reasons. Take a few bottles of water just in case.

 

[Mybluebird]

Will do! Thanks.

 

[tka]

He does eat fresh food, not sure about fruit. What's a good fruit that won't get gross - orange sections, do budgies eat citrus?

Any bird-safe vegetable or fruit with a high water content would help. My choice would be cucumber, peppers or melon. You will probably need to change them at least once.

 

[Mybluebird]

Thanks, will stop at the grocery store before I pick him up. I'll check and find out if he's been eating those veggies.

 

[camelotshadow]

Floor behind front seat is good if it fits. I would put a seatbelt around the cage to keep it in place...You do what you have to...Put a towel under so it does not rip the seat.. etc

 

[Mybluebird]

Ah, good idea about the towel under the seat. I'll have to play some of this by ear - see what the set up is like. My friend has a large passenger truck. Of course, he will be in the cabin with us during the ride.

 

[Dorcas George]

We are all excitedly awaiting Blue’s arrival! I forget what you are naming him...?

 

[Mybluebird]

Thanks! His name is "Buddy". I'm getting even more excited.

 

[Dorcas George]

From what @Beasley has shared about how sweet and calm he is, it’s going to be interesting to see if it helps Tweetie feel more chill too.

 

[Dorcas George]

And I live in WI now, but I was born in LA and grew up in Southern California. We had family in Phoenix so I know that long stretch of desert. Will be thinking of you!

 

[Mybluebird]

Thank you @Dorcas George At least this time of year the weather should be milder going through the desert and being a Sunday at least the truck traffic should be down.