This is our first camping trip that we leave on with our precious bundle of feathers. We have decided to buy him a smaller travelling cage. It is 30 x 20 x 30cm big. We think he will be quite comfy in there. What is really bothering me is the cold temperatures at Waterton during the evenings.

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/...6_metric_e.html

The 6°C worries me a bit.

 

Can someone please help me in finding a method in keeping Mr. Feathers warm at those temperatures? I was thinking of using the box (which the cage came in). I thought of making air holes in it and put a blanket over that. I know newspapers and boxes insulate very well... but I don't know if it will still work with air holes made in it and if Mr. Precious will get enough air and... and... and...

 

Can someone please help me in finding a suited way to keep the little one warm enough? It will be so appreciated.

Keeping the cage covered is good, but you need to make sure that the air holes are at a low level. If you have any openings at the top, the hot air will escape. So a cover that lets air come in from the bottom is better

Hot water bottle under the cage ?

Are you camping in a trailer or a tent? If you have a trailer and you have electricity you could use a small heater to keep his quarters warm.

We will be camping in a tent. Shall I then make about 10 holes in the box at the bottom the size of an index finger poke, and put the box over the cage and then blanket?

Honestly, and this is just me, is there someone that can watch him? Will he be secured when you are gone? This whole thing is worrying me a bit.

No, there isn't. We have been only living in the area for 3 months now and the only responsible person we know is the next door neighbour who is a policeman on night shifts. Hubby says the other option is to ask camp keepers if he can sleep indoor. I am glad you have your reservations about it. I had too. We will be able to make a plan for him to sleep indoors for those 4 nights rather. Thank you for the advice.

I think that is best because he won't be secure, now if the policeman works nights would he not be willing to watch him because he can't come during the day? For 4 days I think it would be perfectly okay if the schedule was a little different that would ensure him being safe and snug at home. 4 days he will be okay with not a lot of interaction, as long as the food, water is changed daily and he is covered nightly he will do okay. I have done this with Merlin and he is super happy to see us when we come home.

Elly, the camping is for four days, but we are leaving for Toronto on the 16th and will stay in a hotel till we get there (every night). In Toronto we will stay with friends, who wont mind the little guy. From Toronto onwards (that is from the 27th) we will leave for Waterton, and camp on the way down there till the 4th. The weather in Ontario is still O.K. It's when we reach the Alberta side of the world that we run into trouble.

 

We like our policeman neighbour a lot, and he seems like a responsible guy. They have a dog as well. I just can't trust non-bird-people with Sunny for so long. Even thinking about it makes me cry. He gets lots of love and attention. Leaving him for more than half a month with someone who might forget about him even for a day, will just break my heart. I love him too much. I will rather go the extra mile making sure I ask the whole world for a warm spot for him at every camp site than leave him alone where I can not make contact with him or can not see if he is doing o.k. It will drive me nuts.

I went through the same dilema as you!

My family and I were going to Tasmania for a holiday, and as we live in New South Wales, the only way there was by boat or plane. I couldn't stand to leave my little budgie in the care of someone else for 3 weeks so he had to come with us. My budgie survived a 12 hour boat trip in our car in the car area of the boat which just above the water level with no heating other than the heat that was in the car, and he was fine

 

So I believe that you little birdy should be fine.

A hot water bottle underneath the cage and a warm cover should be alright... perhaps you could run a battery run heater?

I wish you best of luck.

Budgies are one tough little birds, try not to worry too much!

Edited July 11, 200915 yr by Hannah

I understand that for sure. As long as he is in a secure area with a consistent heat soure he will be fine. Traveling is not the issue in my mind it is being secure at all times. My Merlin traveled for 6 hours and did great.

 

My worry is that when you are tenting where will he be? Cars retain cold and heat so that is not always a good solution. I am sure you will get it all worked out.

I will make sure we pack the warm water bottle for sure! Thank you for all the great advice. I will let you guys know how it all worked out.

I almost forgot to update! My apologies. We went camping. Took the warm water bottle with us and an electronic thermostat. We had two blankets over him and the bottle on the side. He did awesome. Even the long travelling didn't phase him. He was so cute. Everyone just adored him. He broke lots of hearts. The only down side to the whole trip was that the children teased him in his cage whenever they could. Whenever we spoke with them about it, we did so gently and telling them what they are allowed. They talked back and said "But we have a budgie and their bite doesn't hurt!" We told them we don't want him to learn to bite. I can't understand why parents can't take action themselves! Anyways... I don't think it went "down" that well with the parents that we dared to talk to their angels about a budgie of all things! So I think we made some enemies... Except for that, it all went just peachy and we are happy to be back.

Edited August 17, 200915 yr by Montie

Glad all went well, you and Montie are safe back home, sorry to hear about those type of kids

Glad to hear it all went well. I take my separation-anxiety prone conure with me everywhere, but it's a nightmare sometimes because he gets car sick! I mean, I put him in the car and haven't even started the engine, and he'll start throwing up. Poor little bird. My dear budgies on the other hand aren't phased in the slightest, they seem to enjoy the ride!

I should think 6 degrees would be fine as it would get colder out in the wild for some budgies!!!!!!!

 

And i have had a few budgies out in frost weather, but as long as you keep the frost off and the wind out they will be okay.