Moving in a year. Should I wait to adopt?

[Lupine]

One question that I feel is important...We plan on moving in 12-18 months. The actual move won't be far, but as I research I'm wondering if I should hold off on adopting until we're settled in our new place.

 

There are pros and cons on my list, and I hope you can add your thoughts. I hope this thread helps me, as well as anyone else looking for a bird when they can predict upheaval in the future.

 

---Pro Adopting Now

 

I'm leaning towards adopting an adult bird. We're moving to a rural area that is not close to large cities, and as far as I can tell, is at least three hours from any good rescue groups. Even if a breeder is closer, it will be difficult to make the visits necessary to get the bird to know us.

 

Here in Portland, OR, there's an excellent rescue group that regularly has multiple AGs in foster care, as well as a few really good bird shops with connections to area breeders, or that breed their own CAG/TAGs. There are also several excellent avian vets with whom I have established a relationship, and I'd want to be sure that the bird has quick access to vet care, especially during the first months of adjusting to a new home.

 

I probably won't be ready to adopt for a few months anyway, since I am just now beginning my research in earnest and haven't yet even met any foster birds, and also need to get everything set up for the AG.

 

---Pro Adopting Later

Obviously, the bird will not have to go through the adjustment of new surroundings within a 12-18 month period. That's my primary concern.

 

I'd have more time to save for parrot equipment, accessories, emergency vet fund, etc, though we all know that budgets can go to hell quickly for all sorts of reasons. Especially during a move!

 

Only have to move cages, stands, toys, etc. once!

 

--Middle Ground?

 

I could consider adopting locally in several months, and arranging for the foster parents to care for the bird at their home while I get to know it, paying for the bird's costs and a "boarding fee"...and then picking it up when we roll out of town. (The new home will be about 10 hours' drive away, broken up into two days most likely, since we'll have other birds/pets with us...we make the trip annually and have a routine.) Hopefully we'd be able to bring her familiar cage with us to set up, upgrading later as needed....unless a "pull-the-band-aid off at once" approach is recommended, in which case I could arrange to have the cage set up/assembled on site (we have handy and helpful family out there).

 

 

I'm used to travelling with animals, and some of my raptors have a LOT of road miles on them. My truck bed/cap is actually customized with special stall perches for them, and two of my raptors have special kennels. (Where parrots need to see out, hawks prefer sensory deprivation for calmness!) Of course, they're not as sensitive as Greys by any means and their husbandry is entirely different.

 

I'm interested to read about your experiences, suggestions and ideas!

 

M

[Timbersmom]

I really don't have any advice, I haven't moved since I got Timber. I'm responding to kick your post back to the top where someone with more experience will have a better chance of seeing it

[Mistyparrot]

My feeling is that it all depends on the Grey. If you are lucky enough to be found by a reasonably well socialised and responsive parrot he should be able to grow his life into yours and go with your changes and moves.

But if you are called by a less secure and skittish fellow he might find moving so soon after he had settled a bit upsetting. What ever you decide do make sure that whereever you live is a suitable environment. A good cage and the vet cover are the most important expenses. Good climbing perches can be improvised with suitable tree offcuts and hempen rope so they need not cost much. There is plenty online about the best woods and what to avoid. As for toys you should have a collection of valued books and recordings or computer equipment within easy reach of the Grey so he can keep himself amused when you need time off. Of course you will probably find ways of making less costly and more practical toys from wood, cloth. rope and card. There is no need to spend a fortune. Just be ready for whoever chooses you.

I wish you lots of luck and I hope things work out well for you all.

 

Steve n Misty

[BaileysPapa]

Unless you take in a bird with a lot of issues, it should adjust to things as easily as other pets. It is honorable that you are so concerned, but, it is not necessary to overthink this. In over 45 years, I have rescued many birds, from various situations, without knowing their history, and putting them through more changes, and only a few "problem birds" suffered any from it. And those birds were psychically & emotionally damaged to begin with. As long as you are comforting and considerate, most birds will fare well through moving. As the guardian and flock leader, the bird will look to you for how it should react. If you're calm and comfortable, the bird will feel secure enough to handle a few changes. Your concern shows that you will be a good guardian, and can take a relatively well adjusted bird through whatever you, and it, have to deal with.

[Lupine]

Whew. Thank you! I'm not TOO neurotic, I swear! Having the confidence of the correct info helps that...and you guys are helping me on my way.

 

Last year, I was headed out to eastern Washington to pick up a new falcon. At a rest stop, in the car next to us, was a really nice couple with a CAG crawling all over them in the car. (He was clipped, I can only assume; I didn't remember seeing a harness.). According to the couple, the bird LOVED road trips, and accompanied them everywhere. Indeed, he was very curious about me, and in hindsight, I should have been shocked that he wasn't freaked out by the hooded falcons in the back of my truck (the hoods probably made them look like harmless NOTBIRDS, lol). My custom truck shell has perches lined up against the windows, and the window itself flips up for access and ventilation when we stop for breaks.

 

I was as excited to talk to Grey parronts as they were excited to learn about my raptors! It was actually really funny. Who knows; maybe they're members here?

 

And it goes to show that every bird is an individual.

 

As for habitats, I have that covered. In addition to making sure I get the best, most appropriate cage I can afford (and waiting until I can afford the right one(s) ) I plan to utilize the acreage we're getting to make a safe aviary/flight pen for my Grey. As it is, I single-handedly built an awesome pigeon loft, falconry mews, and weathering yard/flight pen here on my in-town lot. Not exactly worthy of Architectural Digest, but absolutely safe and species-appropriate. And neither the neighbors (nor the birds) have complained!

 

Fortunately, I'm a DIY kind of girl, and pretty particular about ensuring materials aren't toxic. I make most of my own perches and equipment for my raptors, and have been reading up on DIY toys. My Hahn's had a crap-ton of parrot doo-dads; I swear it's an addiction. I'd be rotating them in and out (rarely had to bother with acclimating him to them by hanging outside of cage) all the time, since *I* got addicted to making and buying them!

 

I still have a bunch of concrete perches in storage, and tons of natural rope (sans pesticides and preservatives, which many commercial ropes use, fyi) which I use to wrap hawk perches. I look forward to reading up on the DIY threads, and oogling some of the enrichment toys other members have for sale.

 

As a note. Raptors rarely play with toys once they've fledged, but sometimes we'll put goldfish in their bath pans during the molt (when they're usually left in their mews for the summer), or let them goof off with a tennis ball. Baby (eyass) raptors love all kinds of toys, from stuffed, squeaky animals to durable chew toys.

[Wingy]

Honestly you might want to start looking now to allow the time to find a good match. Of course the move is something you should discuss with the rescue org as is your travel. A bird who is becomes really upset over new places or freaks in vehicles might not be for you.

[danmcq]

If you get a grey say in the next 3 to 6 months, it will have time to become a solid flock member in your home. It will have become used to it's cage, tree stands and other perching items. When you move and take your flock with you. The surroundings are different, but the flock is the same. The items you take with you like the cage (safety place they own and allow you in only on rsvp) tree stands etc. will be the places they will know and gravitate to as their safe perching places in a new home and surroundings. A grey that is rescued is already used to change, travel in cages etc. Once a grey or any other parrot has become a part of a flock, they wish to be with the flock wherever it goes. This is ingrained by instinct for survival. So my thoughts on this, is if you have the bandwidth to search and rescue a grey now, the sooner the better.

[judygram]

I say go for it now, adopt as there are so many in need of a new forever home and since the move won't happen for a year or more the bird will have plenty of time to adjust to a new home, as long as you make it as pleasant an experience as possible.

[murfchck]

I agree to start looking now, the more time you have together the better. And who knows, it could take months for the right one to find you! Best of luck and congrats!

[Luvparrots]

I believe it all depends on your personality and time schedule. Will your living schedule go back to one your "new" grey is use to or will you be too busy to cope with your new companion because of more activities and stress with your move for awhile. Will you be able to have the time and energy for your grey after your move. How quickly will you and your family be able to make your grey comfortable and at home and back to a family routine including your grey. If you are not sure how things will go for you and your family and home, I would wait. If you will be creating a quick and happy routine quickly then go for it.

[Lupine]

You guys are all a bunch of enablers!!

 

Thanks for the insight. I'm thinking that I won't really start looking in earnest until I've taken the workshop our local rescue offers twice each month. I'm doing that as soon as I return from a family visit in southern CA next week.

 

It will also be an incentive to continue Craigslisting all the things I don't plan to move...but don't need to sit on over the next year.

 

And I can get a great cage and a crapton of cool toys for what I can get for my fiberglass travel trailer!