Info regarding shipping birds

[dancelady]

I would appreciate any feedback about shipping birds--pros and cons........

I am just worried, that's all. I don't know how long the lovebird would be on the plane and if he would be safe, etc....the owner and I are working hard to do this, and we'd love any information that you all have on shipping and how to accomplish it. If you have shipped in or out and know about it, please tell us now so we can figure this out. I have checked Delta Pet First and it sounds very good, and I could send him as cargo from Norfolk,VA to Boston, MA, which isn't far from me (about 1 hr). This would be the best way to do the shipping and the least time in the process 2-3 hrs. total, including waiting at the airlines.

From what I've heard, 3-4 hours (3 hours on the plane and 1 hour waiting) isn't all that bad if I wanted to ship him closer to me in Manchester, NH. That's the time he would be in transit, changing planes, and waiting at the airline.

Please anyone, if you have shipped/received, let us know about it. Whether it was good or bad, please tell us so we know what might happen. Thanks!!!!

[fwb]

We had our Mited Conure shipped from Orlando to Pittsburgh, with a stopover in Atlanta.We had the same concerns as you. I guess it depends on the breeder and the individual bird. My experience was very positive. Her breeder used Delta Pet First. She traveled in a well constructed wooden crate with wire mesh for good ventilation. The mesh was recessed to prevent other cargo from blocking it. She had a bed of shredded newspaper and had an ample supply of food and fresh fruit. I was so worried about it, I even checked the flight schedule to see exactly what aircraft she would be flying in. I went to the web sites of the airplane manufactures to see what the cargo holds looked like. I think she was in her crate for about eight hours from the time she left the breeders home until she arrived at her new home.You can track the flight online and know when the flight lands at your airport. I figured on an hour to unload her from the plane and deliver her to the Delta Cargo terminal. I just went to Delta Cargo, paid the man $90.00 C.O.D., signed for her and he went to the back of the office and brought her out. She was very calm, just poking her beak through the wire mesh on the crate.She was only curious as to what was going on. The ride home took over an hour and all she did was hold on to the mesh with her beak and stared at me the whole time. She never made a sound. I got her home, unscrewed the lid from the crate and lifted it off. I had no idea what to expect. I know how I would have felt if I were in her place! She very calmly lifted herself on the edge of the crate, stretched one wing and leg, then repeated the stretch on the other side. I put my hand down and she came right to me and promptly emptied my shirt pocket. She never even thought about biting me.You would have never known she had spent the better part of the morning in the dark, noisy cargo hold of an airplane. I think birds are more resilient than we give them credit for. Her breeder did a superb job raising her. Your breeder will probably take care of the arrangements. You will just need to provide the code for the airport you want your bird shipped to.( i.e. PIT - Pittsburgh Int. Airport) He or she will give you the flight number.All you do is go to Delta Cargo and pick up your bird. From my only experience I would recommend it. Good luck.

[Lori~D]

I use, and my friend uses Continental PetsSafe
Continental Airlines - Traveling with Animals
with wonderful results. They are not in a dark noise y place but a different cargo that is climate control and pressurized and such there are no Temp. restrictions as well. They also move them from plane to pick up areas by hand in heated or cooled vehicles so I can ship anytime of year. Charlie came to me all the way from Dallas and talked to us all the way home in the car and the courier said he chattered all the way from the plane,LOL! They were nice and it all seems to go smooth. My friend ships many birds each year.

[dancelady]

Huntress and fwb, Thank you for your replies -- it was very good information. If there are any more breeders or customers, please add your thoughts....

[Sashagirl]

I've had several birds shipped.2 baby Macaws from Florida to Connecticut it was a good experience.Then over 2 1/2 years ago I had 2 birds shipped seperate times from a breeder from Upstate NY to Ct an Eclectus and then an Amazon. Their condition was poor but it had nothing to do with who they were shipped through.They both died and it had to do with the breeder.All the birds were shipped through Delta Pets First.I found out later that I wasn't the only person who had bad dealings with this particular breeder.I would recommend you buy from a reputable breeder and get references.I lost a lot of money and the breeder was no where to be found.