Has anyone had a bird shipped to them?

[jriley]

I've been sitting around antsy the past few days. Our new Tucuman Amazon hen is going to be shipped here (FL) from California sometime this week! I've never had a bird (or any other animal, actually) shipped to me before and I can't help worrying. She's coming from Gail Worth at Aves International and I've heard enough praise for Gail from people I trust that I feel confident she'll be crated safely and treated well before shipping, but it seems like such a long journey. I know it takes us 8 hours or so to fly to California and that's not counting layovers. She's shipping via Delta PetFirst to Jacksonville International, which is about an hour's drive from here.

Gail's really swamped right now, so I didn't want to keep her on the phone with stupid questions when I talked to her last week. She told me I'd be contacted this week with the shipping information and it would either be the morning of or the night before shipping I'd get a phone call. I'm assuming I should plan to be there when the plane arrives, like I would for a person. Should I do anything for the hen before we load her in the car to head home? Or would it be less stressful to leave her alone until we can let her out into a cage? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do with her when we get her home? Should I put her in a quiet room for a few days?

I appreciate any advice anyone can offer. This hen was imported years ago and has been in a large flight cage at Gail's breeding ranch for years with minimal handling. I'm assuming she won't want to be messed with much but not sure if she would be better alone in another room or where she can see the other birds.

Thanks,
Julie Riley

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Can't help much but a friend of mine has had 2 birds shipped to her & they arrived in top shape. Someone asked the same question about what to do when your bird gets home & most said to just let the bird decide I think. Let her go at her own pase. You might try puttin her in a quiet room with her cage in there. Set the travel cage next to it & open the door, & Let her decide when to come out. Just a suggestion. I'm sure someone will come along & be able to help more. Crystal

[pinkparrot]

I had jade shipped and everything was fine! I had her shipped delta pet first as well the only thing is they did not tell the breeder or I that they had put her on a earlyer flight so as I was leaving the ppl at the pick up place called and were real nice saying that she was aready there (it a 1 and half drive to the las vegas airport from where I live. but, they where nice and said i relize that you are coming from out of town and she is doing great then the breeder called a little later and said that they had just called her and that she was sorry and that this had never happend before. but, after that I went to get her and she was just happy. when we got home she was so happy to be out of her carryer and started flapping and did not seem stressed at all. and I had her shipped from fl to las vegas.

My greenwing coming home in 5 or 6 weeks will have to be shipped from NC

[Sashagirl]

Julie

I had 4 birds shipped 2 from Fl to Ct 2 years ago they were 2 B&G Macaws and they did fine.They are now 2 years old and very healthy.

The other 2 were shipped separately from a breeder in Upstate NY by the name of Firebird Aviary and both birds were in very bad health and they both died.That was within the last 6 months.So my advice is to know who you are buying from and get references.I would never recommend the second breeder due to my bad experience with her.My advice to you is to make sure you quarantine your new bird and take it to an avian vet as soon as possible.Quarantine it for at least 30-60 days even if you get good test results from the vet.I wish you well with your new addition.

[PERCHPARTY]

I had my Jade, a green cheek conure, shipped from CA to NY. He arrived just fine and didn't seem stressed at all. Being a weaned baby, he wobbled out of the carrier when we got home. He seemed to prefer coming out on his own time, so I agree with that post. I really felt good about the CA aviary, ruffledfeathers.com , and it sounded like she had a lot of experience with shipping. I was very pleased, and relieved that Jade was ok in every way. Good luck with your new arrival. Definitely give her plenty of time to adjust.

Jenny