One More Question

[Oliver]

opps originally posted in the "New Member" Forum, thought moving over here would be more appropriate.

 

Ok, I really need advice from long term Grey owners. I have now had Olly for about three weeks. He is settling in really well and seems to love all of us. Of course there are concerns due to his living situation before etc. I am worried that I may do something that will set him back in his progress. This is the reason for my question

 

I am going out of town for three days in two weeks. I have two options. I can have someone come over and feed the birds while I am gone. The problem with this is that Olly may not be comfortable with a stranger while I am not there. my second option is to take him with me. This is what I really want to do but need to know if this is ok. Not sure if the travel will scare him or staying in a strange hotel room etc. I cannot reschedule this trip so need to know which is the lesser of the two evils

 

Basically it comes down to leaving him alone for three days with little human interaction in a place he is comfortable, or taking him with me to a place he is Uncomfortable.

 

Please let me know your thoughts or any issues you come up with that I have not anticipated.

[Tari]

If you can take him with you that would be the best thing to do.

In the mean time you need to get him use to someone outside the family that can tend to him when you have to be away and cant take him.

Over nighters with a second caregiver is a good idea provided they have a spare room so he is not exposed to their birds.

Best thing too is if you have one join the local bird club.

In my club we keep each others pets when it is needed.

[birdgranna]

I find my greys very nervous in unfamiliar surroundings so I have someone actually stay at my house and look after my birds and dog.I would opt for some one coming in to see him if I were you as he is just settling in nicely to his new surroundings. A change might upset him. He may think "where am I going now? Is nothing forever?" They are very sensitive birds in my humble opinion. I know some other peoples' greys are fearless but my 2 are if in their own comfort zone only, so I only have that to go by. It is hard to leave them and upset their routine but that is life. It is good you are thinking ahead for him.

[lovemyGreys]

Neither option is ideal, i wouldn't personally leave a single bird for three days with someone coming in to just feed him.Is there no one who could stay at yours & care for him ? Or someone who could spend time with him.

 

Taking him with you is not ideal either, travelling may stress him out,how long will he be left in a hotel room in unfamiliar surroundings ? This may really freak him out im sorry to say.

 

I'm sorry your in this situation but neither one is really ideal for him.Do you have a friend or relation who could stay at your for the 3 days you are away ?<br><br>Post edited by: lovemyGreys, at: 2007/09/07 20:36

[loviechick]

I personally wouldn't take my birds with me only because he is still new to you only having him 3 weeks, and I could really see that shaking up a bird going into a different environment like that. Your home is still a "new" environment for the bird, and I think it would be better to leave him home and have someone check on him.

 

When I got my first Grey, I went on vacation after having her a month, so basically the exact same situation as you. I had my mom come over everyday to talk to Red so that she could see and hear my Mom and be familiar with her. This way when my Mom came over to feed and check on her, she was already in a "safe" "familiar" environment and at least knew of the person that was there.

 

I recently took Red to one of my bird club meetings, and I've had her almost 6 months, and she is very comfortable with meand trusts me and she was TERRIFIED at the meeting, she clung to my shoulder the entire time! Eventually she loosened up enouh for me to set her on a chair by herself with some grapes, but aside from that she wasn't digging it at all!

 

Hope this helps in your decision!

[Tari]

Wow really surprised none of you take your Grey's with you. I take mine to a lot of places. I want her to be comfortable with travel in case she needs to go to the vet or stay with a friend.

She has never had any problems with this and I started this from the beginning. Sometimes I just let her ride to the drive threw at fast food places or if it has been a while I take her around the block.

[loviechick]

Tari...I would have probably taken my Greys with me to more places but I've only had Red about 6 months, and we're just now getting to the point to where I can touch her anywhere, she was so abused it's been a very long road and she was scared of everything...I didn't want to over stimulate her as in the beginning she was spooked by everything. My other Grey well we're still getting used to eachother, but I will more than likely be taking her to my next meeting!

[Guest Monique]

You're getting lots of mixed opinions about this so there is probably no one right answer. We've had greys for 13 years and I would not bring them with me. They do go places with me sometimes but not out of town unless it is to the vet. They have always done just fine at home with someone coming in to provide them food and water. I'm sure they do miss our regular interaction but in my opinion it is less stressful on the bird, puts the bird at less risk, and is definitely easier for me as well. We also have cats and dogs and it would be impossible for us to bring the menagerie with us. Someone with only a single bird and that is it may very well feel differently. Good luck with whatever you decide!