shipping parrots. breeder tips for shipping parrots

They charge $149 plus a $5 extra sur charge for a small crate and a parrot under 9 pounds. Then they add in a .29 charge per pound each shipping, They charge .50 per every $100 to 'declare value' (insure) their animals. To insure animals with them, they have to have a vet examination. I have shipped many out and received birds in and have never had a problem either way.

Temperature concerns: Continental ships almost year round. They have climate controlled cargo and do a great job with the animals on board.

2. Delta 1 888 736 3738 Phx Cargo 602 225 5925

They charge about $105 to ship a small crate and parrot under 9 pounds. They also charge .50 per every $100 to 'declare value' (insure) their animals. They do NOT require a vet examination to declare value, so I do so on every shipment. They do require the shippers to cover all openings with a mesh. I just apply shade cloth (found in plant section at Walmart or Lowes) with duct tape to all openings and this suffices. This darkening of the crate adds security and I put it on most all of my crates whether they go with Delta or with someone else.

Temperature concerns: Delta uses weather.com to decide whether they are willing to ship or not. When you go to weather.com, there is a 10 day forecast. This 10 day forecast can be broken down hourly for only the next 24 hours. During the summer when I am shipping, it becomes important to check this website. Remember that the only temperatures of value to you are those that occur while your flight is at the particular airport. So, a high of 105 is unimportant if I can see that it will be under 85 degrees at departure time at 8 AM. Delta will not ship if it is over 85. They will ship if it is as low as 20 degrees, but they will not guarantee a bird at that low temperature.

3. Northwest 1 800 692 2746

They are very expensive, but were the only ones I found who would deliver into the Dakotas.

4. Alaska Airlines 1 800 225 2752

I used to love them, but they just doubled their prices and their minimum charge is $200. I have no problem with their services, only their prices.

TIPS:

When a buyer reserves a baby, I always pre-call the airlines to make sure that the possibility exists of shipping. I just use a bogus date for this first data gathering phone call. I do record flight numbers and times. I then schedule the actual flight about a week prior to shipping. I email the buyer with all of the information. You will need the buyer's full name and phone number.

I buy my crates at either Walmart or at Ryan's Pet Supply (1819 E McDowell, PHX). Your crates have to hard plastic and not cardboard. My super wonderful hubby attaches 3 plastic bowls inside which I fill with ice, seed, and water-bearing fruits and veggies. The airlines require food and water to be in the crate. I also put millet in the bottom and believe it to be a comfort food. Do not include toys because they may get injured by them during the trip. Airlines require that you attach a perch for the birds. We do so about 1/2 inch from the bottom and slide newspaper underneath it. The screws you see at the base of the crate on the left are holding dishes and perches.

We screw in the perch at just about "ground level" so there is no getting anything stuck under it. There is newpaper below the perch and an envelope below that containing flight suits and other goodies.

The dishes are screwed in place. One compartment has pellets and seed. The other compartments will hold chopped fruits and veggies and sprouts.

This picture is taken before the top is snapped on. The top is reinforced with zip ties.

The babies that are shipped are trained to a water bottle and it is fastened on the door of the cage. Note the millet inside on the floor of the crate.

The dish below the water bottle snaps onto the door. This dish I fill with water to freeze the night before. It also catches any drips from the water bottle. On top of this crate, you can see a zip tie. That goes to the airport and is used on the door. There are also zip ties on every side of the crate.

I mark my crates clearly with the destination, the confirmation number, the phone and address of the buyer and with "Live Animal." I want to not have any questions arise if someone gets confused along the route.

When I know that a baby is going to be shipped, we play with them in the crate prior to going so they are used to it. They have never shown fear of the crate.

Delta is the only one who requires that you cover the air-holes with screening. So, we started using the shade cloth and duct tape. But, once we started this for Delta, I do it for all our babies. I think the darker crate gives them more security.

Babies who are being shipped are exposed to water bottles so that they will drink out of one during their trip. It is an easy way for me to make sure water is accessible and not spilled all over the crate.

Extra tips for shipping finches only:

Temperature concerns: When shipping into colder airports, I will attach those foot warmers or even back ache heat packs below the newspaper in the crate. The foot warmers are rated differently and you can buy them that last 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, and even up to 24 hours. If memory serves, there are only 4 ingredients in these warmers - powdered iron,
powdered charcoal, vermiculite & something else, but all are natural. Last shipment into Columbus, I put 3 from Cabelas on the bottom of each crate.

I place an Ocelo sponge fitted tight in the water dish. This way the water does not slosh over board, but is available to the finches. None of my ideas are my own. I read them or am told them, but do remember them :)

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