Anonymous said to avacado-and-louie: (2/2 parts)
Hello! I am contemplating getting a budgie, and have a question. I live in 2 homes, with my mother Monday and Tuesday, my father Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday Saturday Sunday alternate.
I would keep the budgie at my mothers, and could come over a few hours on Wednesday and Thursday to play with him. But every other week, I would be away from my budgie Wednesday through Sunday. I was wondering if during these periods I should take the budgie with me to my fathers.The car ride would be very short, less than a mile, and he would be secure. I am wondering if these short car rides and staying in one location most of the time and another sometimes would be stressful for the budgie. His cage and things would be the same as I would transport that too, but I am afraid the change of location would be upsetting.
Hi there! I don’t see an issue with transporting your budgie to and from each house. In fact I’d say it’d be beneficial to the bird. Assisting it by building up different socialisation scenarios and therefore confidence will grow along with that; providing it is done correctly. I’d give it over a week or so to settle the bird into one environment to get used to you then start transporting from one house to the other. I’d suggest building up a reward system with the bird before you do this like clicker training just to make transitioning easier. I try and take Lou to all different places like parks, relatives houses etc to get him used to different scenarios. He learns quickly what is ok and i know what his limits are, it definatley helps he is very social bird. I’d suggest getting a young bird from a breeder (preferably with previous socialisation amongst people) so they have that critical socialisation period to learn and develop a staple routine as fast as possible. However a parent raised bird will do just as well either way.
I’m not recommending adopting a rescued budgie for this situation. This is because a stable environment where ample amounts of time is needed and chopping and changing homes probably wouldn’t be beneficial to a bird with pre-existing behavioural issues.
