I will be out of town but...

[cybljon]

I will be out of town for 5 days. What should I do with my baby GCC? I could think of two options: Either leave him/her to a friend or leave him/her at home and ask a friend to check him/her every day.

The latter option is seems more convenient since then my friend would not have a mess in his/her place and who knows maybe they won't like having him/her at their home.

What do you folks do when you leave home?

Thanks.

[glenna]

my kids come over and get mail so they will be in charge of the birds and fish.. one hates the birds ( he lives next door) so he will not be the chosen one!!! extra vacation treats for the kid that does it!!!

[cybljon]

What should I ask my friend to do?

[glenna]

feed, water daily -- let them out if they are well behaved and will step up to him... i only clean my cages once a week because i have 3 jobs and dont have the time to clean more often. do a trial run to see if your bird likes your friend and he is not afraid of him.

[Valo's Moirana]

5 days.... well, i guess that's within my limits. for more time, i board my boys at the vet's office because i feel better that way.

here's a few things (won't vouch for completeness):
*) change water daily
*) no fresh food, only pellets, if your friend only comes once a day (food might mold). show your friend where food and treats are
*) change newspaper on cage bottom daily
*) time out ONLY if your friend is comfortable. i choose to tell people not to let them out if i'm gone for a few days as nino's a problem to get back in (as a matter of fact i seem to be the only one getting him back into his cage). he won't be traumatized by spending a few days in the cage - that's one of the reasons why i got those huuuuge cages for them
*) have the friend call you - just to make sure your baby's fine
*) leave avian vet information in case the baby gets sick. i usually leave the 2 primary vets, and emergency info
*) make carrier accessible in case birdie has to leave your house, never know
*) i usually also leave a check in case birdie gets sick to pay the vet

i don't know how the weather's where you are - but i'll have somebody check multiple times per day regarding the temperature as it's getting really hot here and my apartment doesn't have adjusted AC

[Zoe's Mom]

Bee,

Your advice is magnificent. I am expecting a grandchild in about 9 days and will be traveling to Virginia. I have been putting together a list for my brother in law who will be checking in on the birds. I never even thought about the carrier or leaving a check! Great job .

[birdlover912]

It seems I may have to do the same with my baby Orrin-we had planned our vacation before I knew I was getting Orrin and we can't cancel our plans. Worst of all, the vacation is only 2 weeks after Orrin comes home. It is only 10 days long, but I hate to get him and then just up and leave, but I can't bring him with me. I have a neighbor who feeds & waters my birds, cats & fish while I'm gone. They don't have much parrot experience, so I've never had them take my birds out. Now with Orrin comming, I know I'm going to be really nervious leaving him at home!

I do live near a bird boarding facility, but I've never used it. If Orrin went there I know he would get more attention and better care, but his breeder is opposed to that because she said his immune system wouldn't be fully developed(he would be 3 1/2 months). I've spoken with the owner of the boarding place, and she only boards 10 birds at a time and is very cautious on sanitation. Would it be too risky?

[rockybird]

Valo's advice is on the money.

birdlover, 10 days is a long time to leave a bird at home, especially a baby. Do you know anyone who can watch her, like a friend? Can the breeder watch her? I personally am not to keen on boarding because of the risk of disease. I dont think I would leave a baby alone in the house for 10 days. I leave my adult birds here when I go out of town, but they are not so young, and I dont think I have left them for more than 7-8 days (once). I have a friend come by and change the food and water. She even cleans the cages. I know they are happier to be at home in their own cages. It sure makes life easier also, to come home tired from a trip and to have your birds at home waiting for you. If my boys were babies, I think that I would either find a friend to take him, check if the breeder could take him or my last choice is the boarder. Babies are so needy and cuddly that I wouldnt think they would be happy stuck in a cage alone for that long. A friend who could take her out and cuddle her and interact with her (which is important to establish as a baby) would be optimal.

[birdlover912]

I feel so bad that I have to leave little Orrin, but there isn't a way around it. I contacted his breeder and asked if she could hold him until we come back from our vacation, but she said with all of the other birds she has, he wouldn't get the attention he needs.

I used to leave my birds at a friends house, but then they got a rambuncious golden retriever that I would never trust around birds and mistakes happen. One of our neighbors has come over to care for all of my other pets in past vacations. They would be able to come 2-3 times a day to interact with Orrin. They don't have any parrot experience, so I'm nervious to let them take him out of the cage. I'm racking my brain, trying to think of someone who could take him, but I don't know anyone else who is a 'bird person' with bird experience.

I can't tell you how much time I've spent worrying about this! I've tried to convince my parents that I could stay back from the vacation & care for him, but I'm only 16 and they said no. You can't imagine how horrible I feel! I really wish I could find a better alternative to this!

[dlaura]

Have you checked pet stores in your area for cards of local petsitters or avian sitters? You could possibly find someone with bird experience who would come in and take care of your birds.