Traveling finches (freighting)

[wilsta]

Hey all,

I am curious to know how do you freight finches? Has any one have any experience receiving finches from interstate etc (or long distances within state) How do they travel? what are the steps involved etc Is it risky? I assume finches dont travel well? let me know if any of you have experienced this. thanks

[Mickp]

I've always collected my own, nothing like driving for 4 or 5 hours to pick up a couple of birds.
Australian Air Express is the carrier others have mentioned using.
Should be some members able to help you with approx costs, box requirements & maybe a contact number.

[Cheeseman]

When working in the Pet Shop, we received birds from around the country in freight boxes similar to the image below.

birdbox.jpg

You need to make sure you have a small container secured to the inside of the box, in that container, you stuff it full of cotton wool or dacron fibre, then fill it with water, the birds can then suck the moisture out of the container without any major risk of spillage during freighting.

Seed is generally in a small container also, it usually ends up all over the floor of the box, but that's no real issue.

Make sure you're able to arrange pick up of the birds on the morning they land, and everything will be fine.

If you need to get your hand on a freight box, most bird dealerships keep a few aside out the back of their shops, so a few phone calls should be all it takes to get organised.

Hope that helps.

[AMCA26]

With freight boxes it goes on the greater size of box or weight of birds. I wait until i am charged and then tell the buyer at the airport final price and con note number. Also instead of water you can put in slices of cucumber.

[gomer]

I add spark to the water to help with stress.And the seed is on the floor.Otherwise the same as cheeseman.

You should be able to freight anywhere in Australia, for $50 to $100 for a few finches in a light box.Then most sellers charge for a box up to $20,And some even charge cartage to the Airport.Some states have laws on seed in boxes,not aloowing it to cross borders( I think W.A )The more birds you transport the cheaper the costs per bird.

[E Orix]

We freight and receive birds reasonably frequently the cost is around $70.
Birds travel quite well if you box properly.
Some do's and dont's, IN MY OPINION ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't make the box too BIG and in particular too HIGH
Don't put large water dishes in,small with cotton wool will surfice, we put cucumber in instead.
Make sure there are plenty of ventilation holes in 3 sides unless wire front.
Put a perch in low down and if a wire fronted box is used across(sideways) so the bird can face out.Not to see but it enables the bird to balance as well as it will be generally carried wire facing the way it is being transported.
Do not put a huge amount of seed in just a small amount. Bird boxes delivered into WA will be require to remove the seed before you leave the airport in most cases
We *****always put sponge rubber**** across the top of the box. This dramatically helps the bird if it gets a fright. No head damage,plumage damage etc.
I received 6 Weavers last Thursday the box was 250mm square x 170 high. Rubber on the top, 2 low perches, seed on the floor no water but 2 large flat slices of Cucumber. The birds were delivered to the airport at 5.30am and I picked them up at 3.00pm. Because I live quite a distance from the airport they were not released into an indoor birdroom aviary until just on 4.00pm. The birds went from Nth Queensland,Brisbane, Sydney then to Albury 4 flights.
They didn't miss a beat.
I made sure there was a large seed tray and water bowl in easy access and I left a light on all night.
If you pack birds correctly they travel well.
If you have a long car trip with birds the cheapest and best way is get a foam Brocoli Box long but square height and width.
Simply cut a large section from the end, tape a wire front on,push a couple of perches in towards the back wire a water dish to the front ( with cotton wool),so it can be topped up a cup of seed and you can freight finches for hours even over night. The box sits on the back seat and the bird that flutter around early donot get damaged due to the foam sides.
I hope this helps.

[Keven S]

As some of the other members have mentioned freighting finches is not such a great deal as long as you have ample seed and water to get them to there end destination, as i have purchased birds from most states and on many occasions,and as many as three different flights to end up in Broken Hill NSW and any were up to 36 hours from departure without incident. I regualy send birds to a dealer in Sydney depending on the size of the box it normaly costs $55. I keep the box as small as practable in hight and line the top with 12ml foam to stop any head damage especially with the weavers as i find that they seem to be about the worst to freight as they seem to want to jump up and down rather than try to fly. I also give probac or spark before departure and quarantine all new acquisitions.

[fincher]

yes when frieghting birds to WA you need to empty the seed at the airport in perth. Also youll need a import permit or export permit which costs $20 each consignments. then on the day of arrival of the birds youll have to ring WA quarentine to arrange a inspection and you have to be there with them.

[arthur]

All good advice . . .

Also label boxes "STORE IN SHADE" . . Most staff are "bird friendly" but a reminder can be useful . . it gets pretty hot on those tarmacs

Another thing I do that has not been mentioned is to put a reasonable amount of fine green tea tree brush in the box . . this will stop the birds banging heads and will give them a sense of security and a place to hide . . the less room to move the less likelihood of accidents . . no need for a perch then either . . I do this with all birds up to lorikeet size

Water dish (small) should be glued (do it on a day before you freight if using solvent based glue) in a position where birds cannot wedge themselves between it and the walls of the box . . frightened finches will do this with fatal results

Keep all consignment numbers and be sure that the receiver notifies you when birds are received

90% of bird freighting will be fine but unfortunately there can be disasters . . and there are a few horror stories out there . . good planning is half the battle