Rainbow, Myrtle & Cockatiels

[liz]

I have my ''Tiels in a double flight cage with 2 feeding platforms. I don't like the size in ratio with the number of birds in there but they can still fly 6 feet if only one is flying or they are both going in the same direction. The perches are attached to the sides and hold only 2 birds each.
I have increased their grain (gloop), their fruit and veggies and have added more carb to the nut mixture. I put in enough to last them all day and have 2 silo seed feeders that I leave in all the time.
They have basically abandoned the seed feeders and must like my cooking because they clean their plates. Just FYI.

This is where I need some other thinkers. (My thinker is tired and I need backup.)
I had planed to use a cage in the car to transport them. It is 10 hours of driving without stop but 12 hours because of refueling and pee stops. I can pack food for me so I won't waste time eating.
Here is the kink in my idea. The cages are all too tall for my van. I am considering cutting the legs off one of the cages I got with rescues and laying it on it's side to make it fit. I will have to modify feeding platforms and perches. I have been saving the gum that comes with food containers. The kind that hold paper info to the plastic. I plan to use that to secure dishes and waterers with a deep plastic plant tray to protect against water spills. Or I found my daughters dog crate. It is big enough for her big boxer Jake. I was going to put it in the shower and scrub it with disinfectant soap and rinse really good. I will have to modify it with a feeding platform and the water tray under it. Side perches will have to be added. There is nothing for them to climb on so it will have to be close enough to hop from one place to another. The question I have with this is will it be too dark for them or will the lack of bright light help calm them?
I don't know what Polarn's daddy is going to do about transport but he has fewer birds.
I need feed back.

[Pajarita]

Polarn won't be moving for quite a while, there was a family tragedy and a change of plans.

Personally, Liz, I would make the drive at night. I would feed the birds dinner and, when they are getting ready to roost, put them in a cage big enough for the perches they will all need, cover it with an opaque material and drive through the night so I can get there in the morning. I have moved several times with lots of birds and, in my personal opinion, it works out the best for them to do it at night.

[liz]

That sounds right. I usually go to roost right after they do (I have the chicken syndrome). I'll have to get a co driver for that trip.

Rambo and Myrtle will have to travel in small cages. I still have the one Myrtle came in and another for Rambo. They go later. They can't go to a strange place unless I stay with them until they claim the new home.

The 'Tiels will have their flock and a kind person to take care of them exactly like I have it written down. He was the one who stepped in when my sitter ended up in the hospital. Donny is a friend of my son, Chuck. He has been staying where ever we are not to make sure everything is secure.

[liz]

Most of my furniture has already been moved. The final load will leave here on the 30th. In the mean time I am sleeping on the living room floor because bedroom and living room have gone to Florida.

I woke up at 7 this morning to my toes being preened by Rambo. He thought it was nice that he did not have to climb the side of my bed to get me.

[liz]

No one helped me name the 2 year old babies so I named them Tweet and Retweet. I don't know which one is the boy so it seemed the safest. The dark gray is Tweet and the light gray Retweet.

I did not get out to get the aloe but remembered something I bought to spray on Rambo's feet. Birdbath for plumage and skin conditioning made with water, aloe and preen gland oil which is all natural with herbal ingredients. Rambo spread and soaked in all he could. I was surprised that the new cockatiels took it so well. I drenched Lola and Phoenix. The both ran with the first spray but came back and hung on the cage so I could do a good job. Max & Jackie did well but not Tweet and Retweet. It will take them a little longer.

[Pajarita]

Tiels LOVE been sprayed, it reminds them of the rainy season right before their breeding season starts. I love it when they hang upside down like little bats and open their wings to catch the water under them

Seems you are already half-way there, Liz!

[liz]

It seems that I need names again. These two don't have any. Becky said seizure sounds like Caezer (some one give me the correct spelling) so the other one would be Anthony. Any one have better names.
They look healthy but I will have to quarantine. She didn't give me any history except they were both passed around before she got them.
I don't know what to think of Stevie. She runs a rescue out of her house. They have seed and pellets in their cage. She said they like chicken and chicken bones and give all her parrots some twice a week. I know they like them. Myrtle took one of a plate before I could dump it in the trash. When I told her it was too much fat she told me to read up that it is good fat and in the wild they are carnivors.
I am just glad I got them when I did. Sure wish I had done it sooner.

[Wolf]

While I always recommend that you do lots of research on your own as far as I am aware of very few birds are actually carnivores and they are all raptor like birds like owls, hawks, eagles and vultures. I have only read of one parrot that I might consider to be a carnivore, but it is not a cockatiel. So far the only non vegetable protein that I am aware of even being suggested for a cockatiel is the occasional mealworm.
The two new ones without names are they both males or what?

[liz]

I was upset at what she was saying. I tried to tell her but she believed she knew more than the whole forum. Becky started pulling on the back of my shirt so I took my cockatiels and got away from her. I tell every one about theparrotforum. Why don't they check it?

Both are beautiful little males. Seizure bird is the dominant. Neither have been handled or handled properly but were interested enough to come to my side of the cage and chatter.

[Wolf]

Mutt and Jeff, Amos and Andy, Big John and Little John, Brett and Bart, Peter and Paul, Rocky and Ringo, Tom and Jerry, Heckle and Jekyll, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Vinnie and Vance