Deworming Budgies during breeding season

[budgiegirl01]

Hi,

Again confused about what to do. Need suggestions from you all. My two hens are always in and out of the nestbox. Sometimes even the cocks accompany them in the nestbox. Is it the sign of their breeding season? Out of curiosity I had given some hay strands, and all of them started eating those. Is it natural for them?
Also, I was thinking of deworming them. Will that be okay now? I mean, if it is the breeding time for them, then will it be okay to use dewormer? 

[budgiegirl01]

Hi All,

Could you please guide me with the above mentioned queries?

[Hezz]

Ivermectin is safe to use on the adults when they are breeding. Chicks need to be at least 10 days old.

Budgies' natural food is grass, so hardly surprising that they would nibble on the hay. Pick them some clean grass if you are able to.

Budgies will breed almost all year given the right conditions, whether they are in breeding condition will depend on their own hormonal cycles and the correct diet.

[budgiegirl01]

Thanks Hezz
And one more silly question. Is it safe for budgies to travel 1200KM by air? I might shift to another city and don't want to give them away to unknown people. Can I take them with me. I have checked with airlines and there is provision for taking pets. I even checked with railways if that's safer for them but it takes 26 hours to reach. If I can take them, which will be the better option, by air or by train?

[milliej]

I hope you get more expert answers Budgiegirl01 but all I can say is that we used to take our first budgie on holiday with us (but by car) from South England to Wales which was quite a journey but nothing compared to yours, only 4 hours, he was fine with his cage covered and no toys etc he could bump into on the way. All the best for this hope your move goes well.

[Hezz]

I do know that breeders will fly them from one side of Australia to the other, here, but I am not sure just how they go about it. I have a feeling that it is easier to ship (fly) many rather than a single bird, if that is of any help. How many budgies do you have? You would need to weigh up the options regarding one method or the other - if you rail them and you, are you able to have them with you so you could change seed and water? And then ...... How long would the flight take? Around 2, 2and a half hours??? A smaller plane will take longer, of course. At least that way you wouldn't have the worry about them being without food or water for a great length of time if that is your worry. They could go without water for that time, food too, if you had to. Here is a link that may help you ready them for the flight, if you decide to go that way.

www.plannedparrothood.com/shipping/shipping.html
seniortravel.about.com/od/airtravel/a/Pet-Birds-And-Air-Travel-What-You-Need-To-Know.htm

This one might be more relevant to your needs:
www.airindia.in/pets.htm

So forget anything I might have written that doesn't agree with what these have to say; I was only going on second hand info. good luck and let us know how you get on.

[budgiegirl01]

Thanks guys. The flight takes around 2 hours. I checked the Air India website and other domestic airlines, but only Air India allows pets other than guide dogs. So I might actually opt for that. Thanks a lot for your replies.

[Hezz]

Hope this all goes well, budgiegirl01. It should, as the flight is short and sweet. Go Air India; you got my vote.