I know this I not a community dedicated to parrot caretaking but I figured there would be some people here who atleast know a little. While I will also do my own research online I also wanted some imput from real people yk?
So anyway I have two parakeets that I’ve taken care of since I was in my freshman year of highschool. I’m later into my college years now and previously didn’t have the means to transport them to my apartment so my family has been caring for them dutifully. I never truly bonded with them as they bonded with eachother first and foremost but I was happy co-inhabiting the space with them. They roam quite freely (within spaces made safe for them) and I miss them dearly. I want to transport them the 2 hour drive to college with me because I feel my family doesn’t give them the full attention and care they deserve. I think what they give is adequate but not particularly caring.
Anyway I wanted to know y’alls opinion on how safe it would be to transport 6 year old parakeets 2 hours in a car. I worry that the stress would be too much, especially as one of them has a permenantly injured wing and struggles to balance at times. I miss them and want to spend time with them and care for them as they are getting later and their years and while I finally have the means to truly accomadate them where I live, I still worry the process of transport might make it not worth it for their sake. Anyone have experience with this sort of thing?
It would certainly be stressful, but it shouldn’t be life-threatening. First off, if you have housemates, make sure you ok everything with them first, parrots are adorable, but they are loud, and it wouldn’t be fair to your housemates to force them to live alongside your parrots if they can’t handle it.
If you’re able to, speak with your parrot’s vet about what to do, because they’re going to be much more knowledgeable than a random stranger on the internet. And will be able to give much better advice.
When I transported my parrot (budgie) in the past, it worked out fine, we just made sure the cage wouldn’t rattle and shake too much, and we secured it in place with the seatbelt, though that wasn’t for a full 2 hour trip. Talking with them or having the radio on the whole way should help keep them calm, they won’t be happy, but they’ll manage. Probably goes without saying, but avoid sudden stops and sharp turns.
Also, TIL that Americans call budgies “parakeets.”