FINCHforum

I'm wondering what strategies people use to take care of their finch aviaries when away for a number of weeks. Of course when someone stays home that's fine, but what about when you all go?

I've had a couple of people take care of my birds over the years. My other half is one of them but thinks it's all too complex and stressful. To me it seems very easy, but I'm used to the routine so can't really understand what someone would find so difficult.

I've heard of one horror - a finch keeper coming home to find his entire stock on the ground - but that was due to miscommunication.

What strategies do you have in place to keep your birds safe and well when you are away for several weeks?

Stephanie

I think your only choice, is to ask another finch lover/keeper/breeder, to come in and help you with your birds, with the agreement that you will do the same for them when they go off somewhere.

I personally, would not trust just anyone who says they'll undertake this, and who does not keep birds and has fairly extensive experience.

I am very lucky to have found a pet sitter who came highly recommended, who can take care of multiple species of pets, including finches. If you can find someone like that, it makes it so much easier (and less stressful) to leave your birds. My pet sitter sends me daily text reports, too. You can check with veterinarians and pet supply stores for recommendations. I found my pet sitter when she left a flyer at my local feed store. When I looked at it, the feed store staff (whom I know and was comfortable with) told me this woman was excellent.

If you would rather not have to pay someone, then lovezeb's suggestion to try to find another bird person in your area is a good one. You can swap out vacation sitting with that person. It is important to do all this in advance of needing someone, so you have a chance to get acquainted.

To keep things simple for the visiting bird sitter, we just have the sitter feed clear water and seed when we're away. Usually we're gone for no more than a week. I'm sure the birds can go without greens and egg food and vitamins for a few days. As long as the water is good and seed is available.

Dave wrote: To keep things simple for the visiting bird sitter, we just have the sitter feed clear water and seed when we're away. Usually we're gone for no more than a week. I'm sure the birds can go without greens and egg food and vitamins for a few days. As long as the water is good and seed is available.

I agree, just the basics for the duration, no bird is going to die from not having greens or egg food for a period of time. I did have babies in the nest one time, so my sitter had to feed egg food for that cage only.

Yes, a week is no problem. It's when it goes to three or four weeks that extra care is needed.

With any type of livestock too much can go wrong quickly. I have not had a vacation longer than an overnight in 30 yrs. My choice.