thk

Aussie's know it well, its very common here, Bottle Brush (Callistemon).. they seem to love it. He liked it even more as I had washed it and it was still a little wet so he also "bathed" in it before our game of hide'n'seek!!

I've been trying all evening but cant seem to get the photos any bigger. I saved them into photobucket as 480x640 however they still end up being just as small. They're huge on the camera but seem to shrink no matter what I do.

Havent posted photos of Charley for a while but snapped him today when I had put a new branch of bottle brush in his cage... he decided to play hide and seek... bet you cant find him... (hope the photos are big enough, I can never get it right!!) Let's Play.... hide and seek!!.... I'll go first... 1...... 2......... 3........ 4....... 5.......6........7.........8.......... 9....10.... READY!!!!

I hear you!! I bought Charley one of those "bendable" perches as although I generally use branches, when I cant find the correct ones i also like to use the cement perches but always buy them too small, or too long!! So this time I thought WOW, a bendable perch!! With great skill and imagination I bent it into a kind of S shape and fitted it niceley to the sides of the cage. He hasnt gone anywhere near it!!! he'll climb up and down the sides of the cage just so he doesnt have to set foot on it!! He's never afraid of anything and is always curious, (currently trying to devour one of the platic pegs holding one of his branches in place on the outside of the cage!!) But no, will not put one toe on the new perch!! Little so and so!!!! But I'm leaving it there and eventually, if he doesnt conform, I will remove his branches so that its the ONLY thing left to stand on!! I'll teach him!!! :hap:

My hen, Maxie, who seems to HATE me does the dolphin noise when I come near her cage. Initially I thought she was speaking to me cutely.. and I was so proud and impressed. Then I realised its her way of showing anger and telling me to "shove off!". Of course I dont know the background to the health of your little girl, but with Maxie it's definitely a "get lost"!!!!

Thats hilarious!!! What a cutie!!!!! and he keeps the rhythm so well!!! :happy-dancing:

Wow I never knew that, always wondered how they were able to sit so "posed" in the show cages!! A brilliant idea. I'll do that when I get the cage. I'll start putting him in it, perhaps with a sprig of millet and his favourite toy (the ball). I also want to see how he reacts to his "motel room". In fact probably a good thing between now and when I leave to let him experience the different cages, then the move wont be such a strange event for him. As you say, travel cage will be so handy for vet trip, his cage is so big and awkward to get in and out of the car. Thanks for the tips!!!

Thanks guys. Never even thought of border checks. I'll see what I can find out about that before the trip, as I will be crossing Qld/NSW border and then NSW/SA. I didnt think there were "border checks" anymore.. wonder who I could phone... I have taken him to the vet a few times in his large cage, he didnt mind at all. He just seemed to forget he was in the car and ran through his vocabulary all the way, even still flirting crazily with his calcium bell (which he's in love with! He's never really worried about the car, the day I brought him home in an old (temporary) cage, I was very surprised as he sat there happily looking out of the window. The metal cage rattled over every single bump in the road though and that would drive me bonkers over a few hours, hence a "DAZ" cage will be well received. It wasnt anything IN the cage, it was the cage itself rattling. I remember thinking that I could NEVER go on a long trip with it.

:doh: Thats fabulous Daz... thank you so much. You're wonderful. I'll wait to hear from you. :sad:

Oh okay Thanks Kaz... didnt know that!! I thought the travel cages would be better for the drive as he cant fall off his perch (as I zip around corners.. or if have to pull up suddenly).. as the front is still "open" (wire) and he could still see out. The metal cages rattle like crazy I've found (even though I put the seat belt around it and sit it on a towel on the seat) which is another reason why I thought the wooden cage would be better for that. mmmmm.. will have to think it out some more!! :doh: :sad:

I've decided to drive to South Australia with Charley beside me. Plan is to put him in the travel cage that I'll be getting off DAZ (not leaving till around 16th April now DAZ, so no urgency.).. next to me on the front passenger seat while I drive. I'll be driving for 4 days, stopping (motel) each day after around 5 or 6 hours driving. At the motel I will transfer him into a small, light cage that I've bought especially for the trip (I call this his "motel room"! ) Next morning back into the travel cage for the next leg of the trip. Then back into his "motel room" when we stop for the night. I'm sending his big cage with the removalist (i've worked out how to "dismantle" it) and this should arrive a few days after we do. He can stay in his "motel room" till it arrives. I'm happier driving with him than taking him on the plane (two planes).. I think he will be less stressed when he's "sitting" beside me and we can chat to each other. I have taught him to say "G'day Mate" so he will fit in with the outback budgies... (I'm going to Woomera, work transfer). One of my good friends at work is adopting Maxie, she is a very nervous, unsociable girl (Maxie, not my friend! ) and I dont think she would cope with the stress. Charley will be good company for me along the way and I'm sure he'll enjoy the trip!!!

Charley was over zealous with his romancing of his favourite little latticed ball (with bell inside..you know the ones).. very noisy relationship!!! I eventually took it out as he was driving me CRAZY!!! He can have it back when he shows some restraint!!!! :tut_tut: :hap:

I had a similar problem, going from Brisbane to Woomera in SA in about 2 or 3 weeks., couldnt find a container either. No idea where to obtain one. I contacted Daz who is very kindly making me one. (Thanks Daz.. )

I was SUPER intelligent (I thought!!) and picked the chimp as I said (to myself) this has to be OBVIOUS!!! the others probably wouldnt like bananas!!!

Yes.. how funny that I should get you mixed up with DAZ.. understandable though.... because you both start with "D"..

okay will PM Daz (not Dave :rofl: ).. and see what he can do!! Thanks so much for your help Kaz!

Yes PLEASE!!! That would solve my problem Kaz!! Let me know how much, and how to pay you and I would be most grateful!!...and Liv is right I guess. Relying on someone else when I can just take him with me and see him delivered safely would be better than paying out heaps for someone to merely transport him to/from the plane!! (after all thats REALLY all they do isnt it!!) I will just need to take my kids and grandkids with me to help me carry Charley's box, his not very small cage, my suitcases, laptop, handbag etc. I'm sure they'll do that for me. Kaz isnt Dave in Brisbane???? I could arrange to pick it up from him if you just sent him an extra one if that would suit??? I dont think I'm far from him from memory.... (or am I thinking of DAZ????)

you're right.. "cardboard box"?? when they chew through their branch perches???? :rofl: Have you heard of a company called Pet Carriers International? I just found them when I googled for a transport box. Aparently they pick up, supply a "cage" (container), organise to take him to the plane, pick up from plane and deliver at the other end (although I doubt they would deliver in Woomera... its in the outback... ...but I think I could pick him up from the airport nearby.) Not sure how much they charge but cost is no issue long as my baby arrives safely and comfortably.

Wow thanks Kaz and Liv. You guys are awesome. Thats great information and I feel much better. I had no idea where to start!!! I guess I'll google for a box and see if I can find one here in Brisbane or otherwise have one sent to me. I have 4 weeks before I go, so I'm glad I brought it up now!!! I had in my head that the airlines would supply a little cardboard box with air holes!! :rofl: I feel so much better knowing they're wooden!! (and solid!!) Someone at work suggested I put something in there with my smell on it (e.g. a sock? ) so that he has something of "me" in there (he's very attached to me... but .. i dont know about my socks!! he hasnt had much to do with them!!) ... but I thought that might be more a cat/dog thing! I did think of one of his favourite little latticed balls or do you think that might fly around and hit him in the head?? He seems to travel quite well, I've taken him in his cage to the vet in the front seat of my car (seatbelt around the cage!).. and he sits and chatters away, even looks around out the window so I think he should be fine. I thought of getting the box a few weeks beforehand if possible, and putting him in it for short spells, perhaps with a toy and/or a sprig of millet.. so he gets used to it before the day. Would that be a good idea?

Hopefully someone can help me out here with a little advice. I've been transferred (work) to South Australia (Woomera). Leaving in 4 weeks. Charley's coming with me on the plane. I know he is transported as air cargo. Question 1: Where do I purchase the travelling "box" for him (I presume some air cargo place?). Question 2: Do I go to airport as normal and hand him over at checkin counter? : :doh: Question 2: How do I transport his (rather largish!) cage.. do I wrap it? box it? or just let it be "a cage" and juggle it along with my suitcases? Question 3: When do I put Charley in the "box".. do I get it beforehand and take it home? or do I transport him in cage to the airport and then transfer him over? Question 4: I have to change planes at Adelaide, do I have to "move" Charley from one plane to the other if its the same airline (Qantas)? These may seem like silly questions but I am totally confused as to how it all works when one moves a budgie from one state to another, especially when going to a rather remote area. (employer pays for the move so cost is not the issue, just my Charley's welfare!!) Anybody out there who can give me some idea on how this all works? Perhaps someone has had to do a similar kind of move at some stage?? I would REALLY appreciate some advice as believe it or not, of ALL the hard work involved in moving from one state to another... forget the packing, the furniture, the car, the belongings...... my main focus is one small budge and cage!! I know I can phone the airline for advice but lets not forget to them Charley is merely a little bird!!! Thought I'd get some advice first from fellow, more understanding budgie-holics!! :laughter: PS. Maxie is untame, freaks out at human contact, is a very stressful type of girl so I am not even going to try to put her through all this. She is going to live with a good friend of mine where I know she will be well looked after!

Its a toss up as to who's cuter... Jadon or Kacey!! GORGEOUS photos.. especially the last one.. after a big night out!!

One of the cutest photos I've seen in a long time. Congratulations Dean.

One of the cutest photos I've seen in a long time. Congratulations Dean.

I agree totally Glen and I guess it stands to reason that a budgie born into a "home" such as the breeders we see on this forum, who handle them and love them, becomes a lot more trusting than those in the pet shop cages where most often, the only hand they have contact with is one that is trying to catch one of them, quickly shove them into a little cardboard box for their drive to their new home. This is how Maxie was purchased I'm sad to say. I bought Charley a few months later .. totally relaxed!! The breeder had him in his hand, quite happily, he handed him to me and said "here... you can hold him".. (he couldnt fly, he was clipped but already very tame at about 10 weeks old). I gently placed him into a temporary cage and was a little concerned how he would handle the drive home but he sat on his perch, front seat, seatbelt around the cage.. confidently looking out the window at the traffic going by. Obviously a very well adjusted baby! He had his wings clipped last Saturday and the vet said he is just the most friendly and placid little guy they've met in a long time. I'm sure this is entirely due to his "loving" start in life! Having said that, It might be a challenge but your Angel may have the temperament to gradually turn into a relaxed tame beautiful little girl!! Lets be positive!