If you are moving across the country and leaving your pet bird behind is out of the question, you may have to ship your bird via airline cargo ship. If you think shipping a bird, or any pet for that matter, is an arduous task, you are mistaken. The following guidelines will give you information on how to ship a bird and ensure that your feathered friend arrives safely with minimal stress.
Contact an airline that offers ship live animals and make a reservation. Specify that you will be shipping a live bird. Also, ask the cargo office as to when you need to drop off your bird and ask where is the drop off point. Some drop off point is located inside the airport while others are located nearby the airport.
Make sure the bird is healthy and ready for shipping. It’s important that you condition your birds for at least a week before shipping. Youngs on formula don’t need any extra vitamin supplements, but an older bird may. Fortify them all with a stress reduction preparation such as Ornabac™. This is a granular powder to be administered to their soft foods for at least a week before shipping and a week afterward shipping. The lactobacillus and low ph level will help avert bacterial infections resulting from stress. The B-Complex vitamins will help with the stress level itself. You can administer this freely to babies as well as adults.
Prepare the carrier. Use a carrier that has a securely attached perch in it. The carrier will also need food dishes for your bird. Make sure you provide food dishes good for three days together with cubes of fresh fruits such as grapes, apples, oranges, etc. This will prevent dehydration, as water cannot be shipped with your bird. Also, place a paper lining at the bottom of the carrier.
Label the container. Containers must have the “LIVE ANIMAL” label on it, which is generally provided by the airline. This is important so that the airline cargo will handle the carrier with care. You must also indicate important instructions on your label. This will be used in case the flight is delayed. Also, add tags that will indicate contact information about you.
On the day of the shipping, securely place your bird in its container. Make sure that you use cable ties. Once the bird is securely placed in the carrier, bring it to the airport cargo office. Make sure you arrive there at least two hours before the flight. The cargo office will be giving you specific instructions about this.
These are the things you need to do when shipping birds via airline cargo ships. It is also advisable that you check if your carrier covers insurance for the birds. Ask how much they can cover. They might also ask you to purchase additional insurance to fully cover your bird. This will be helpful since most airlines only cover for injury, loss due to the carrier’s negligence or disappearance.