Going out of town

[jhuff]

Hello! I have a 6 year old, Senegal Parrot. I am planning a trip that would leave me out of town, 8 days. He uses a bottle on the cage for water and a pellet diet, I have someone coming over to check on him and refill water/food as needed. Is this enough? I worry hes going to get sad/lonely. I have never been away from him this long. We have no where to board him (even if we did I wouldn't!) and I am too picky to have him stay at someone else's house because I worry about their air fresheners, cooking with him too close, and THEIR pets. What do you think? Am I over reacting?

[Michael]

I don't think it's a big deal as long as you trust the birdsitter not to bail on you. But it also depends on how long you've left the bird in the past. If you've never been away from the bird for more than a few hours it could be a problem. If you have left it for a weekend or few days with someone before, nothing to worry about. I've left my parrots home alone for up to a full weekend or with someone feeding them for up to two weeks. I think they get by (especially the poicephalus species) but boy are they happy to see me when I come home.

[jhuff]

Well I work, so He's home alone all day. We have been out of town before with someone to check on him, just not this long. The sitter WONT bail (or at least he better not), its my dad. However, he is not as comfortable with Binx as my husband and I are. I think That's where the worry comes from..

[Michael]

My parrots are flighted so unless the sitter has trained and flown them with me, I prefer they don't come out of the cages while I'm gone rather than risk a problem putting them away. Just load up the cage with good toys and keep the feeding simple and I'm sure he'll be fine.

[jhuff]

Thank you! Binx is flighted too. I have strict rules about letting him out. I know he will be fine, just needed reassurance! Thanks Michael! BTW, I used to be on here all the time, I don't know if you remember me. I had to stop using the computer for more than school for awhile, since it ate up all of my time! I am finally done with school and back on board! Glad to be back, you have done a great thing with this forum!

[ketchingup]

Great advice that I'll need in the future as I plan trip over the holidays, Thanks

[liz]

We used to vacation a lot. When we did we hired a friend to house and critter sit. They have never been alone at night.

I make up a sheet for care and feeding as well as the personalities so my friend can remember who needs what and their routine.

[Shelby]

Also leave the contact information of your avian vet so if anything happens, your bird-sitter will be able to get help. You never know what will happen, so it's best to be prepared. Your bird could break a blood feather or something, and somebody who doesn't know much about birds won't know what to do. Plus, for the bird-sitter, it will be a comfort to know that if something does happen, they'll be able to get help.