In two weeks my husband and I will be heading about 3 hours downstate for a weekend to celebrate my grandfather's 80th birthday and I'm wondering what I should do with Hercules, my b&g macaw
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Leave him in his cage at our house and have someone come OR with a bird sitter (which I have been unable to find). I've looked and looked and can't find anyone that is 1) willing to takes birds or 2) knows about macaws. Most people will watch a parakeet, but not him.
I took him to the vet a few weeks ago and it took about a half hour to get there each way, and he seemed perfectly fine in the car.
Have you checked to see if your avian vet can reccomend a pet-sitter? I would suggest boarding at the vets, but I wouldn't do that if there are other options.
I have, actually. It's one of the first places I called. There's only one veterinarian that is experienced with birds anywhere near me, and I called and they had no one they would reccomend unfortunately. I asked if they would look after him for the weekend, but they don't do any boarding.
it's just my family and they already love him. No kids will be there, and I've already warned everyone that may be meeting him that they are NOT to put hands anywhere near him. He's still new and learning things and while I *think* he won't bite...I am not sure what he'll do in a brand new situation.
it is easier, less stressful and safer to just assume he will bite. As he would be out of his home environment, have tons of excitement happening etc. He would not mean to most likely but any over stimulated bird runs that risk.
Once I read that they love him, the answer IMO is clearly to bring him with you. If people in that househo,d tend to leave doors open a lot, consider using his harness a lot since he seems to like it.
I was at my avian/exotics vet a week or so ago and a lady was asking if they could board her bird for 3 weeks. they could only do two weeks. I made the mistake of commenting that she needed a friend with birds to watch her amazon. The vet tech said you know what ask Cyn to do it...[me] , And that is how I ended up with an extra DYH Zon at my place for the past two weeks. The vet tech really raved to this lady about my exp. number of pets and the care they get as well as my toy making and bird fostering. But having four Zon's in the same house is crazy making and they [NEVER EVER SHUT UP.]
He may be more likely to enjoy going on a trip with you, exploring a new place, and meeting new people (oh the attention!!). Even if he freaks out at least you'll be there to deal with him instead of someone who wouldn't know what to do that he doesn't know.
I vote that you take him with you. From your other comments it sounds like he's fine at riding in the car, even for long periods of time, and you've clearly done excellent work at building up a trusting bond with him. I think he'll do fine on the trip. If he gets overwhelmed by all the people, just make sure there's a quiet room where you can put him for a while to give him a break. Bring some "projects" for him to work on: foraging toys, walnuts and Brazil nuts, wood to chew, a phone book to shred, etc.
My caiques come with me on short overnight trips, and they do very well. In fact, it's great mental stimulation, and I like the fact that they're used to traveling and hanging out in new places. It made our move from apartment to house much less stressful, and it makes it easier on them when they need to be boarded. Practice makes perfect, and they've gotten quite good at taking it all in stride.
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Maybe you could see how he feels about travelling by car? If he enjoys it, I don't see why he couldn't come with you.
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I took him to the vet a few weeks ago and it took about a half hour to get there each way, and he seemed perfectly fine in the car.
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Just keep small children away from him as they do not know what to expect from a BIG bird.
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Good luck with your visit.
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My caiques come with me on short overnight trips, and they do very well. In fact, it's great mental stimulation, and I like the fact that they're used to traveling and hanging out in new places. It made our move from apartment to house much less stressful, and it makes it easier on them when they need to be boarded. Practice makes perfect, and they've gotten quite good at taking it all in stride.
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