Ask Lafeber

Vacation and I need help

Hi, I have 2 cockatiel birds and I’m going to go somewhere for three days. I’m debating whether to leave there cage open or closed. If I leave it closed they get stressed and start screaming until I open there cage. Every morning they scream because they wanna come out there cage and fly. I don’t wanna stress them but then something else bothering me is me leaving there cage open and they getting out near night and later not know where to go and have a fright night and crash into things. I don’t know what to do please help.

Hi,

You can’t leave the birds alone for three days. You certainly can’t leave them out of the cage. You need to either have a friend or neighbor come in to feed and water them daily and check on them at least twice daily, or find a place that will board them. If you leave them alone, a lot can happen. If they soil their water, they will be sick by the time you get back. If they spill their water or eat all of their food, they will be dead by the time you return. If they have a night fright and break a blood feather or get an injury, they will be dead from blood loss when you get home. You can’t leave them without lights on during the day, and you must leave the air conditioning on. Many birds have died by being left along even just over night. I would never recommend leaving any bird without care for three days.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda