Moving is about as stressful a time as any in our lives and the lives of our fids. Having just completed moving the "gang" into a new house, I thought I would share some of the things that helped our move go smoothly. The feathered crew (Alex and Zeke, African Greys and April, Umbrella Cockatoo) have settled in nicely and things returned to normal quickly. Granted, the move was to a nearby city and we were not on the road in the U-Haul for more than an hour, but I believe preparing the birds had everything to do with their reduced stress level and smooth transition.
I also want to mention that there is the coolest service for moving called PODS (Portable On Demand Storage). I had it delivered to my old house the weekend before the actual move. This allowed me to pack up all my non-essentials at my leisure, clear out the house and cut down on the stress and chaos of the actual moving day. They took the "POD" away and stored it at their warehouse until the day I scheduled it to be delivered to my new house. I only had to rent a U-Haul for a few left over things and the bird cages.
Everything but a blanket, pillow, alarm clock, bird supplies and cages (that didn't get into the POD) were packed up in the U-Haul the night before the actual move. Renting the U-Haul for an extra day was really worth it! All I had to do on moving day was gather up a few things, place the birds in the carriers, load up the cages and away we went to our new home. My "POD" was delivered to my house later that afternoon and I had as much time as I wanted to unload it. It arrived on a Friday and I scheduled the POD pickup for the following Tuesday.
The reason I recommend a service like PODS is that it relieved so much stress. I was calm, the birds were calm and I could focus on making them more comfortable instead of running around loading things up at the last minute. I will never move without PODS again - it was that good!
The move actually took place in several stages.
Stage 1 - Keep the Fids Informed
House hunting is always both exciting and exhausting. But, when I found a house I really liked and the offer was accepted, I showed the flyer with the picture of the new house to the fids and told them all about it. I told them how nice it would be for them to have a bigger room with nice big windows and everything. Yes, I really did this! They may not understand all the words, but they get the fact that something is up.
When my old house sold and the paperwork was progressing along nicely, I started packing. I made sure they saw what I was doing and I would talk about the moving day and how exciting it would be.
Stage 2 - Prepare the Fids
A few days before the actual move, I cleared out my master bedroom and moved the fids out of their normal "bird room" and into the master bedroom. It was only across the hall, and not in totally unfamiliar surroundings. But, it conveyed the message to them loud and clear that change was coming. I made the move in the morning so they would have time to get used to the new room before bedtime.
After their first night in the master bedroom, I introduced the idea of travel. They have all been in carriers at one time or another, but I didn't have three carriers, I only had one. I went and bought a new one and borrowed another to make three. Three days before moving day, I placed each carrier in front of the cage of the bird that would be using that particular carrier. I placed them there all set up and ready to go with the doors open.
After they stated at the carriers for a few hours, I took each parrot and placed them in the carrier briefly. Just long enough to close the door, tell them how good they were and take them out again. The next day I kept them in there a little bit longer, about 5 to 10 minutes or so. The third day, I placed each into their carrier for about a half an hour. I also picked them up in it and walked around the house. All the while telling them how good they were and about moving day the next morning.
Stage 3 - Moving Day
I woke up early. We were supposed to arrive at our new house at 8 a.m. because the phone company, cable and internet company, etc. were arriving that day to set things up. And you know them, they are so exact on the appointment times, "Sometime between 8 a.m. and noon" was about as precise as it got. I needed my phone and internet hooked up pronto, of course, what's an online parrot supply store going to do without the online part and a phone?
I talked to the fids for a little bit and told them this was it. Moving day was here! Then I put them in their carriers and started loading up their cages. (They have big cages.) They all went in their carriers without a fuss. I put them by the front door so they could watch their cages being loaded and telling them how exciting their new home was going to be. The last thing I did was put them all on the front seat of the U-Haul with me and drove off to our new house.
Along the way, I picked up my helper for the day who would help me get their big cages up the steps to the new house. April actually greeted her with a big "Hi!" She wasn't stressing at all! Upon arrival at the new house, the first thing we did was to bring the birds inside and put them in their new room. Of course, I was talking to them the whole time. Then, we unloaded cages and one by one they were placed inside. I prepared their food and water like I always do and tried to keep things as normal as possible for them. All that was completed and the birds completely set back up in their cages before anything else was done.
Stage 4 - New Digs
I kept things as normal as possible for them. After a day or two they were pretty darn comfortable. That's when I started being a tour guide. Each was given a tour of a different room. I went from room to room, one a day or a whole house tour. It depended on the bird's comfort level. I made sure to point out the windows to them and have them touch it so they know not to fly into it. Things returned to normal quickly and they really love their new space!
I really believe that it went so smoothly because each of the steps prepared them for the next. I was shocked at how quickly they adjusted to life at the new house. They were even back to talking within hours of the move. April even talked IN THE U-HAUL. I hope this has been helpful to anyone considering a move in the near future!
Your Parrot Place
Taylor Knight is President of Your Parrot Place, providers of the highest quality parrot food, toys, cages and supplies available. yourparrotplace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!
Free Parrot eBook
140 pages of parrot tips, information, nutrition advice, safety and more! yourparrotplace.com
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
You've probably had a day or two when you felt... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
Your dog's health is a very important part of overall... Read More
Most people who have horses would like to develop a... Read More
We have all grown up with at least one hero... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
If you love dogs and you enjoy making money then... Read More
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More
Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for... Read More
Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More
Of all the aggressive behavior in dogs dog bites is... Read More
Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More
What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More
Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
So you're getting a Rottweiler puppy? Here are some general... Read More
For realistic tips for humans who are moving with cats,... Read More
Your dog's health is a very important part of overall... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More
If you're looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it's hard... Read More
The Discus fish has its habitat in the South American... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
Have you ever been to a dog kennel and listen... Read More
Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits... Read More
Dog clicker training is so much fun for both dogs... Read More
Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I... Read More
Could a horse trainer, born about 154 years ago, teach... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
How can my child benefit from having a pet?1.Social skills... Read More
Many people feel that taking the time to train their... Read More
Pet |