Rescue work

[BPMar]

So we have all heard about the parrots that need rescuing in our area.  I was trying to brainstorm a way to help and then found that a new volunteer of Chance's will be able to do it but may need help in getting the big guys into the carriers.  So here comes mom to aide in the rescue!! If it is a go with the man who has them. :D  I am sure together we will be fine in safely getting these guys into their carriers and on their way to Chance.  I know the birds are used to women and have not been around them since their mom left so hopefully they will be comfortable when they see us.
I will prepare to take an arsenal of items with me; small blanket/towel, some treats, maybe a toy, some gloves (ya know those ones that stretch to fit your fingers that cost $1.00....ha ha)
I hope I get to help in the situation, I am excited about it!  I don't have much experience with Macaws but am confident we will be fine.  I hope they will be more relaxed to be around us 2 females. 
Feel free to offer any advice on a safe transport from the cage to the carrier.  Dad of course has given me instructions and I have researched.  I have "toweled" but on a bit of a smaller bird.
I hope I get to meet these guys and help!

[chance]

I am waiting to hear if Monday will work for the owner.
Thank you Mar for giving your assistance in this much needed retrieval of these Macaws.The owner is afraid of them so he will be of no help.
Just remember a thick towel,just wrap it around the bird, go for the head first to towel then they relax a bit more once the head is covered hold the back of the head so they can't bite and with your other hand grab them out,have that carrier ready,head first put them in as you are putting them in you can take the towel slowly away and close the door fast.
I will let you know as soon as I hear, right now im heading out to take my son in for surgery. 

[BPMar]

All will be fine with your son!  AddEmoticons04239  I will be thinking of you!
Thanks for the info, hope its a go!

[zimbasmom]

Keep a firm grip on the macaw and don't hesitate when putting them into the carrier not knowing their history you don't know if they will crate well or will freak out at the sight of the crate. You also don't know how they will react to the towels so be prepare for that, you may not be able to towel them so keep a hold of the toes when they are perched on your hand and go head first. Does the other volunteer has experience with macaws?
And I know ...easier said then done, but you know they pick up on our emotions so try and stay as calm as possible.

I know Chance has transported a ton of birds, here is my thought/question. Do you ask people to not feed the birds or just give them a light meal before moving them? I ask because we had one macaw on GW that I had to drive to an event and that poor thing was car sick the whole way I felt to bad.

Good luck Mar and good luck with your son Chance, hope everything will be OK.

[2ndChanceJr]

Thank you Mar for helping. We appreciate all you do for us. You are a great person. :)

[BPMar]

If all goes, I am meeting one of Chance's new volunteer's who is from Buffalo....she just adopted Sybil (Jardines)  and she also just was bit on the neck by Whyatt the Hawk Head!  I thought Chance posted that here, if not it is on her forum.  No, she also does not have experience with Macaws.  I am however bound and determined...and excited!
Should we first see if we can coax them into the carrier? (treat) on their own or talk to them first and then go in to towel?  This guy will probably think I am nuts buy the way I am sure I will talk to them.  :D
I will get some pictures one way or another.
Thanks for the advice Zim!

[zimbasmom]

Don't bother trying to coax them in...wont happen. The only bird I have seen go into a carrier voluntary is a crow and it was one of the things we trained it to do. A macaw there is no way you will you will get one to walk in by itself... especially with the two of you there & being strangers, the birds will be on alert and when you start trying to get them into the carriers the others will then be scared, so what I would do is get everything lined up and ready to go and when you start grabbing birds and moving them,  go as quickly as possable because the ones left waiting are watching what is going on.

I hope the girls from 2nd chance will agree with my advice and let me know if I'm wrong.

[BPMar]

Thanks again Zim!
I will go in with the voice of Mary Poppins, the ingenuity of Macguyver and the will of Rambo!
I am on a mission!  Well at least I hope so!  Have to still hear if Monday is a go.
Should one of us see if they will perch on our arms first and depending on them and their mood? or just go in and towel them?

[chance]

Zimbasmom very good advice AddEmoticons04239

No bird will just walk in a carrier with no problems,The best thing to do is first open the cage and try to get out any perches and toys, that will be in your way, once these are out, most birds will either go to the bottom of the cage or to a corner, this makes toweling much easier ,make sure that carrier is open and ready, sometimes its so hard to get a Macaw in that you have to take the carrier apart have the bottom ready sit the bird on the bottom keep holding him LOL. and have the other person put the top back on.
I am sure these birds are flighted, so we need to make sure they don't get loose and fly around the house, They will be very nervous with strangers in the house to begin with.Now what I remember about these birds before Sandi got them is they were in a bad situation,so im sure they have behavior issues especially being locked in their cages for some time now.
Jenn does not have large bird experience but she works at the Marine , so she has to handle the penguins etc. so between the two of you, everything will be fine.
then once she gets to the shelter it will be no problem.

Oh bring band aids ;D

[BuffaloParrot]

Hey, if you get hurt I can use "Family Sick Leave" and not have to work for a while!! AddEmoticons04239  BUT, I think I like ya better with fingers lipsrsealed.gif

[BPMar]

It figures you would reply with something like that.  I plan on coming home with all my phalanges, metacarpals/metatarsals all intact.  If only we had someone to video tape us!  :D  You better watch out, between the two of us we are experienced with penguins and demon fids!!!!

[chance]

Ok things just never can go easy, So the guy is working Monday at 7 am,So I left him a message to see if we can pick them up Sunday night,as long as the carriers are big enough for food and water they will be ok over night .Ok just talked to him Sunday will work for him, so I will see if Jenn will be ok keeping them over night.and will send you Tim's number so we can get this all arranged.

[chance]

Ok Jenn is getting really big carriers from her job, so she will be able to keep them over night AddEmoticons04239

[zimbasmom]

Holey moley, good luck & hope you dont run into any more snags.

[BPMar]

Ok, since this is happening on Sunday Dad will be able to go also.  He wanted to go along so this is good.  So all I need is the time to meet Jenn and we are all set....band aids included!  :D