Aussie Finch Forum

Has anyone tried to buy birds and bring them home on the plane with them in either cargo or passenger?

All good, bit disappointed though that the birds didn't have any youngsters in the box when I got them home.

Seriously though if done properly, I think freighting birds causes more stress to us, the birdkeepers than the birds themselves.

Only animals they accept when you fly are cats and dogs, everything else has to go via AAE, even if you use anyone else they all end up going through AAE as they are the only place that fly's live animals. I send quite a few rats here and there around the country and so far haven't had anything go wrong, main thing I find that makes sure of a relatively carefree flight is to ring before hand and make sure it's a direct flight. Also was talking to someone in AAE the last one I did and they told me best to make sure you book because if there is any medical equipment that needs to get shipped it get precedent over live animals and they will get put on the net flight (medical equipment and some other things can't be sent in the same plane as animals), if you prebook a flight then they will always get on that flight, they will tell you if the flight won't be available to animals.

Thanks maz. I was wondering because if you travel interstate to get a bird(s), it's nice to be able to pick it up at the airport as you disembark. Oh well, nothing goes smoothly, does it!

I always pre-book the flights but that is no guarantee of anything. I've been waiting anxious & frustrated as Gary did the same in WA. All pre-booked & a 2 hr turnaround for a connection in Sydney which they still missed - someone in AAe stuffed up for this to occur. 90%+ of shipments go smoothly but the ones which don't cause 90%+ irritation.
The medical issue is when blood plasma has to be sent - it requires dry ice which absorbs oxygen from the cargo area so no livestock is permitted when it needs to be sent. This is often done in emergencies without notice which upsets our expectations but is reasonable under the circs.

Any chance somebody can post a 'dummies guide' to air freighting birds?

I have freighted birds to probably every state. Times have changed,we are now limited to the one transport compay BUT I don't book through them anyway.
These days I use Dogtainers who freight constantly around the country,they have a contract price and most definitely due to their size get well looked after.
Their cost is actually cheaper and they book the birds in and meet me at the airport.If they are not available then go to the nominated contractor

There will be delays, thats life so you must be realistic and box your birds properly.

Don't put birds in too small a box,even if it is one or two small finches.Small boxes are shown no respect,dropped easily or hidden away,on the other hand don't make your box too big as this can allow the birds to move around too much.
It is no more expensive for me to use a 350mmx250x200 than a 200x200x200 box(too small)
If possible put foam etc on the inside top and keep the box low in height,you do not need a large wire opened front but you do need air holes on at least two sides,this enables airflow but also allows for air to enter if the box is pushed against another blocking one set of holes.
Should you put a perch in place it at the back and across the box so the birds are sitting on it facing the boxes front
I know one state doesn't like seed sent from another state,too bad let it be removed at their end.Put more seed than they could possibly eat.I put a water container inside and put cotton wool in it, this helps stop water sloshing out and the birds can get to the water still.
Finally I put several circles of Lebanese Cucumber in as a back up and I mark the boxes very very clearly.Print some labels off your computer the clearer the signs the better.
It will always be stressful I guess but generally every thing turns out OK.
Boxing Parrots is different and for Quail most definitely sponge rubber under the top and as low a box as possible.

jimstreet wrote:Any chance somebody can post a 'dummies guide' to air freighting birds?

For finchos or for AAe . .




I think Tiaris and Orix are right in that 90% of the time things are OK . . . which probably reflects the % of conscientious workers in any organisation

And then there is the 1% of total disasters as in Craig & Gary's saga . .

And the fact that AAe tried to cover it up is reprehensible

I use Dogtainers but as someone else pointed out, the flying component is still with AAe

I too ship a lot of birds around the country. For the last few years I have been using Petflyers based in Townsville and they deal with flights all over Australia. The owner, Peter, is very helpful and researches all the possibilities for a quick and transfer free flight if possible and pre books everything. All I have to do is show up with the birds 90 minutes before the flight and sign the consignment note. His rates are reasonable and because he has an A/C with AaE and Virgin, I get better treatment than turning up unannounced. When using Virgin the waiting time in the office doing paperwork is much less than AaE who seem to have a much longer process to deal with. The number for Petflyers , if interested, is 1800-738359.
EOrix's guidelines are spot on and I also use the foam on the ceiling of the box, especially with some of the pigeon and dove species.(Avoids scalping) Some species will not eat anything that you put in the box due to the stress that they are going through, but we do need some standards in animal transportation and should give them the choice in case of delays etc.

I feel embarressed complaining about my minor problem from yesterday compaired to some of your experiences.

Craig, the no food/water policy is for birds shipped by Virgin....hence the reason I don't use them...what boof-head came up with the bright spart idea to restrict food/water for animals during transport. Probably caused by the fact a few seeds got spilt on their red carpet many years ago.

On average the birds need to be at the airport for 1.5-2 hours before the flight leaves. Then there is at least another hour after the plane lands before you get them. Add to that air travel time and the time you and the breeder/buyer take to get to the airport they are in a box for a minimum of 6 hours...and that's just Melbourne to Sydney....starting to think it will be easier to meet the buyer/breeder half way is safer, probably not much more expensive and definately less stressful

Cheers
Paul