Here are some important tips for preparing your feathered family members for the cyclone.
1 - Food
Make sure you have plenty of food, so when you're out grabbing supplies for the family, grab some extra bird seed! Petbarn Townsville is currently in low supplies after the road closures from the recent floods, so if we don't have your bird's seed in stock, check alternative pet stores, produce stores, department store and supermarkers for emergency supplies.
2 -Water
Remember water! Something simple that is often overlooked - make sure you have an extra bottle of water for your birds (1 litre will do a 200ml container for five days).
A) Pet & Handraised birds:
A small travel box or cage is the safest temporary home to move your bird into, ESPECIALLY if your bird usually lives on a patio or veranda. Include food & water dishes and if space permits, your bird's favourite toy. Set this up beforehand and move your bird a few hours before the storm hits the coast, to give them time to settle in. Having an old towel or sheet handy for a cover can be useful if your bird stresses over the new cage or the storm itself.
If your cage is usually left outside or on a patio, remember to move it or tie it somewhere safe once you relocate your bird. Remove all fixtures and take out the tray from the bottom, storing these inside.
B) Outdoor Aviaries:
I strongly advise removing all aviary birds into temporary cages or travel boxes this evening or tomorrow morning. During cyclones, aviaries may loose their roof, have debris blown through the mesh, and are not at all safe for birds to stay during the storm. Aviary birds should be housed in their temporary quarters, inside if possible, during the cyclone.
Remove any of the heavier branches being used for perches, nesting boxes and toys from the aviary. Perches can be bundled, tied and stacked, toys boxed and preferably stored inside or in a garden shed.
4 - Evacuation with your birds
If you are asked/decide to evacuate, prepare your bird's travel box/cage beforehand. Place them inside 2-3 hours before you leave. If leaving by car, ensure your cage or box fits where you indeed to have it for the journey (before the bird goes inside - you don't want to be juggling a cage sideways trying to cram it in through the door!) - and make sure it's secure with a rope or strap and cannot move during the journey. Remembered to pack extra food and water (enough for five days) for your birds.
If you are staying at motels/hotels, call beforehand to check for pet-friendly establishments.
If you are leaving my train/plane, check with QR or your airline as to requirements for traveling with birds.
5 - Temporary quarters for birds
If you don't have a cage or travel box, dog and cat crates and carriers work well for most birds. Finches are the exception, since usually the mesh on dog and cat crates is too wide for finches.
Don't forget, the Bureau of Meteorologywebsite (http://www.bom.gov.au/) is providing forecast maps every three hours, which will become hourly as the storm closes in on the coast. Please keep a close watch on the cyclone and keep your cyclone kits and battery radios ready.
Stay safe, Townsville and all surrounding areas.
