Disaster Preparedness Supply Kit

You should have a disaster preparedness supply kit for EACH bird. You never know when the birds will be separated from each other, or from you.

While building your kit, it is a good time to consider purchasing the individually-wrapped packages of items that are normally avoided due to expense. Since the items should be as sterile as possible, their value becomes immediately apparent, and will also last longer.

A Seal-A-Meal is an excellent way of sealing foodstuffs, and important paperwork more permanently than zip lock baggies —especially in the case of a flood or storm. No method of sealing, however, replaces an original factory seal, or in the case of paperwork that will not change often —lamination.

The logistics of this are pretty staggering. At the very least, have one full first aid kit (ours is in a large fishing tackle box). Have a carrier for every bird, food, ID, a bottle of water and instructions in each carrier. Have a heating pad for the nekkid ones. On Saturday, October 16, 1999, we had a wildland fire that came dangerously close to us. Although we were not ourselves evacuated, both ends of the roads leading in here were closed off. We could not have had friends (about 3 were waiting... just in case) come in and help us evacuate if we had needed it —at the time we needed it. In lining up our carriers, we realized that we simply did not have enough. And without help, our vehicle would not hold all of the birds here. These are serious points to consider. Try doing an impromptu “emergency” sometime and see how badly you fail!

Although it is important to keep your carriers handy in case of an emergency, you have to consider the possibility of assisting in the theft of your bird by having a convenient “get-away” container handy for a would-be thief. You need to use your good judgement in storing your carriers.

• Portable Carrier - Should have appropriate sized perches already installed.
• Name, address and phone number of your Veterinarian
• History and health records
• Current photograph(s) of each bird
• Two-week supply of food and water
• Instructions of your birds’ feeding schedules and diet, medications, and any other special needs
• non-spill, unbreakable food and water bowls
• One-month supply of medications and/or written prescription
• Treats (to entice scared or stressed birds)
• Newspapers (stack these in the bottom of the carrier)
• Heating pad (this is probably not feasable for EVERY bird, but make sure the featherless and compromised birds have one each.)
• Pedialyte for hydration and restoring electrolytes (The rumor is these come in 6-packs but I have yet to locate them. Pedialyte only lasts for a couple days, even refrigerated, so don’t try to freeze it or anything.)
• Misting bottle for cooling down overheated birds (change water frequently to retard bacterial growth)
• Plastic bags (for waste disposal)
• Disinfectants for cleaning out carriers, and cleaning up accidents
• Paper towels
• Favorite Toys
• Avian First Aid Book
• Avian First Aid Kit containing:
  • Kwik Stop/Styptic Pencil
  • Penlight
  • Towel - for wrapping and securing bird
  • Scissors - small/sharp for cutting bandages or loose strings
  • Gauze
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Cotton Balls
  • Plastic Bags
  • Nail Clippers
  • Nail File - blunt end
  • Hemostats/Tweezers
  • Nolvasan
  • Eye Irrigation Solution
  • Syringe
  • Thermometer
  • Betadine Scrub
  • Hand-feeding Formula, jars of human baby food.
  • Spoon or hand-feeding syringe
• Perishable items should be rotated periodically, so they won't go bad.
• All items should be stored in unbreakable containers.
• Paperwork should be kept in a zip-lock/waterproof plastic bag —or laminated.
• In cold weather, wrap a blanket over each carrier and warm up the vehicle before placing the birds inside to be transported. During warm weather, carry a water mister to cool birds periodically. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently.
• While transporting birds, do not put water inside the carrier. Instead, provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content.
  
  
  
  

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  November 08, 2003