I have questions!

[gatorbait]

Hi all I am new to this site. I have a few questions. I live in FLorida and my CAG I got at 4 weeks old he is now about to turn 5. Well we plan to move to Arkansas when we sell our land here. I worry about the climate change and he does not do well traveling he gets car sick. I am wondering if I am doing what is best for him. I would break my heart to give him up. But if it would save his life I would have to. I don't have human kids. And Jake says Love you momma to me every day . SO It would break my heart to let him go. I am happy to hear any and all imput on this subject. Also he has recently started to pluck. I have done everything - he does bath regularly at his own will. his cage is in a good area and when I am home he is out on his perch or on me. Fresh food and water daily. I sprayed him for mites and did the molt ease spray in case that was the problem he has a few bald spots under his wings. I have never noticed this is past years. I am very hands on with him. THanks again. Beth aka Gator bait

[babypiggy]

wow thats pretty young to get a cag...

not sure how many hours that is
but cover the travel cage completely
and take him out every few hours or so for a rest stop of food/water and room to stretch out

as for the feathers, it could be many issue.
when was his last vet check?
are u switching toys in and out of his cage at least every month or so?

do u use plain water for spraying?
hmm 5 weeks is young but he may be growing some feathers

if u ave a pic that would be great

[Lisa B]

My emma gets car sick as well. so you might have to make frequent stops and I hope someone chimes in with the ginger root, as that is supposed to help with car sickness.
climate change wont bother him.
Mites arent usually a big problem with domesticated birds, so I wouldnt recommend the spray.
Most likely he is picking up on some stress, and understands something is differnt. dont forget to talk him through the whole process.
Put the thoughts of rehome out of your mind. ....things will work out for you and your baby.

[Addicted to Tequila]

I am sure he can tell you are stressed and packing and frazzled... the plucking could very well be related to that. Also he may be hot/cold/dry/molting... etc. Greys are unbelievably sensitive both emotionally and physically. Aloe JUICE in a spray bottle of water is said to help. You can get it at health food stores.

Try some dried ginger to settle his tummy for the ride and only allow small sips of water periodically. If you can place him where he can see out the winsheild it makes a world of difference.

He is now 5 years old... no?

Although he may need some special loving to get through this (heck... you yourself are probably considering Valium! I myself HATE moving!) it really and truly is not going to kill him.

[gatorbait]

Ok I think I may have not made some of the things clear. SOrry for that. He is now going to be 5 yrs old we got him at 4 weeks old. And yes I do change toys around and we are not moving yet. Nor am I packing yet. WE are selling land in FL so we can move to our place in Arkansas. SOrry I didn't make this all clear. Thank you all so much for all of your imput and I am open to more.

I will look into the ginger root thing as well as asking his vet what they recommend. I love him so much and if I didn't have to drive I would hold him the entire way. I can put him in the front seat and seat belt the cage. I just worry about the air bag if god forbid we did crash. He is my baby and I love him I just don't want to make him ill or pass because that would break my heart. And I surely don't want to give him up. As for the plucking he is plucking mostly the little white furry feathers but he does pluck his some of his regular feathers as well. When he was a baby he would get his am feeding one of many then i would let him lay on my chest and he would fall alseep. So cute and cuddly. HE is still my baby and I can't even imagine giving him up. But again just want what s best for him. Well again thank you all for the reply;s keep them coming.

[jlt666]

Hi there~

I have a TAG and we took went on vacation when she was about 5 months old. We rented a cabin and drove there, it was about 11.5 hours in the car. We only had Martini for a little while and I didn't want to leave her with anyone, so along she came.

We bought one of those travel cages and put her favorite perch in there and strapped her into the back center of the seat. My boys kept an eye on her and kept her company.

We had no problems at all, Martini was a champ all the way up and back. I'm so glad we made the decision to take her along.

Maybe you can build up slowly with short car rides to get your bird acclimated to being in the car. Sure would beat the alternative.

I'm most definitely no expert, but just wanted to post my long car ride experience so you would know it is possible to travel by car and have a good outcome.

Good luck!

[DynamitePsycho]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

My emma gets car sick as well. so you might have to make frequent stops and I hope someone chimes in with the ginger root, as that is supposed to help with car sickness.

You beat me to the punch on that one Lisa. Ginger root is supposedly helpful for all sorts of motion sickness. I never took it for when I went to sea, but I know some friends who have (their ship doesn't ride as well as mine in rough seas) and I know flight students take it when they do their initial flight training down here in Pensacola.

I agree with everyone else, it's just like having a child or other animal who gets motion sick...have frequent stops. Make sure they have plenty of water. Also, if you're traveling by cage, cover it so your fid can't see outside. If you're using a carrier, it's a little easier to "block" the motion of outside. I have a carrier custom made for birds where I can "seal" it up completely and it looks like a duffle bag, but because of that, it keeps all three of my fids calm when going through busy airports or any potential stressful situation.

Good luck with your move!

[Addicted to Tequila]

GatorBait...

Is he too hot perhaps? I know another member here was having that problem. If he is only pulling out the down... he may just be too hot!

[Akasha]

I think everything will turn out fine with the move- don't stress so much about it and please don't give up your buddy just because you are moving! The plucking could be from any number of causes- you know how greys are- if something has changed in the environment that he isn't happy about, if he isn't getting the same amount of attention he's used to, if he's feeling itchy from a molt... if you are worried you should take him to see an avian vet for a quick check up. Will probably turn out to be nothing but I guess better safe than sorry. I think the suggestion to start taking him out for short car trips is a good one. Get him used to the idea of being in a carrier or whatever you are going to use in the car and used to the whole riding in the car experience. I've never had a bird that got car sick but I would think letting him be able to see out would be better than covering him up- but perhaps you could try both ways and see which one works better for him and you. Best of luck to you and I hope everything goes smoothly with the move.

[ndeben]

Where in Florida do you live, I have a friend in Gulf Breeze, owns a shop knows tons and tons about birds.