Post by Tatianna on Jan 14, 2009 9:31:34 GMT -5
Bare Essential Disaster Kit
Water - Plan for at the very least 3 days worth, but better to have 2 weeks worth. Water is vital for everything to live and in a disaster situation, even a local one like a problem at a local water plant can send people rushing to the stores buying up water. Have a supply of your own and laugh at those who were not prepared . Remember to allow not only for drinking, but cleaning too. Gallon jugs are good, as are the smaller bottles as they cause less water waste. Rotate in new as you buy it and use the old at home so your supply is always fresh.
Food - Plan long term with food. Bird food is not the foremost thing stores are going to be worried about getting into a disaster struck area, plus if you have to go out of your normal area, you may not be able to get the food you need for your bird (e.g.they may only stock seed). Consider how much food you go through in a week and then pack enough for a least 2 weeks then add half again to allow for spills. As with water, food should be rotated in with new food being placed in the disaster kit and the older bag then used at home.
First Aid Kit - Your first aid kit should always be taken in a disaster. Basic kit will include scissors, hemostat, stypic powder or something else to stop bleeding, nail trimmers, vet wrap and some handfeeding syringes
. Medications should also be kept in here. Again, plan for a couple of weeks with medications.
Supplements - Include a supply of any supplements your bird is used to getting.
Towel - Readers of Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy know the importance of towels in space travel, but towels are equally important for a disaster kit. A large towel should be included and can be used for anything from covering a cage, restraining a bird, making a shadey area etc etc. A towel is your best friend, take one for each bird if possible.
Carrier - One for each bird. Keep them next to cages, you really don't need to waste time trying to get them out of that cupboard when there's a house fire or chemical spill. Keep them ready with newspaper in the bottom. Have a towel next to the cage aswell incase the bird is not tame, or is scared and not cooperating.
Dishes - For putting food and water in (duh!). Heavy porcelain ones are great here as you can put them at the bottom of a cage or carrier and it's hard for the bird to knock them over.
Newspaper - For lining the cage etc
Paperwork - Vet records and proof of ownership.
So that's the basics that every one should have. Depending on how many birds you have there are all sorts of things you can keep the kit in such as a duffle bag, tote bag or even a rubbermaid tub. The important thing is that it is handy to grab in a hurry. A central location is good as if you put it next to one door and are cut off from that escape route it will be useless.
Make sure you know the best way to pack your car with supplies so you are not flustered when an emergency happens.
Plan at least three routes out of town and at least three different places to stay. Make sure you know of vets etc out of your area who will be able to help you should your bird become ill.
Have a plan for the order you will grab your birds too. Consider things like health and location and make different plans for different emergencies.
The Extras
Folding cage - cages that fold up to the size of a briefcase are excellent not only for an emergency, but for trips too!. Most birds can chew their way out of a regular plastic carrier when they get fed up of it. A folding cage means you have somewhere secure for your bird.
Toys - A bored bird is an unhappy bird. Keeping spares of your birds fav toy in your disaster kit goes a long way for the mental health of your bird in an emergency. Shreddable and puzzle toys are great as are foot toys.
Water Bottles - If your bird is trained to use a water bottle these are great in an emergency. There is less chance of water spilling and being wasted. Plus if there are contaminates in the are then there is less chance of them getting into your birds water. Most carriers can be adapted to add a small water bottle. Make sure to carry a spare though.
Fruit and Veggies - Dried (unsulfured) fruits and veggies are good for making sure your bird gets his daily veggies. Individual fruit salad cups are good too so long as they have no added things and are in juice only. Organic Apple sauce comes in indivdual servings and is another handy thing. It can also be hand fed as a comfort food.
Small Spray Bottle - For misting your bird to keep it cool and for the benefit of the feathers. You can get ones that hold one or two cups of liquid.
Cleaning products - Vinegar, GSE etc Look for small travel bottles at your local supermarket to keep these in.
A cooler - If you have time, throw some fresh fruit and veggies into a cooler with ice. Use these for the first day or two to extend the life of your packaged food and to provide fresh vitamins when your bird is most stressed.
Money Saving Hints
Craigslist is a great place to find things like folding cages and carriers.
Spend time searching online stores for deals. A store out of state that is having a sale can sometimes be cheaper then buying locally, especially if you have sales tax.
Shop Charity stores for things like towels, coolers etc.
Information From www.anafricangrey.ca/forum
Written By AnAg Member Birdtrouble
Water - Plan for at the very least 3 days worth, but better to have 2 weeks worth. Water is vital for everything to live and in a disaster situation, even a local one like a problem at a local water plant can send people rushing to the stores buying up water. Have a supply of your own and laugh at those who were not prepared . Remember to allow not only for drinking, but cleaning too. Gallon jugs are good, as are the smaller bottles as they cause less water waste. Rotate in new as you buy it and use the old at home so your supply is always fresh.
Food - Plan long term with food. Bird food is not the foremost thing stores are going to be worried about getting into a disaster struck area, plus if you have to go out of your normal area, you may not be able to get the food you need for your bird (e.g.they may only stock seed). Consider how much food you go through in a week and then pack enough for a least 2 weeks then add half again to allow for spills. As with water, food should be rotated in with new food being placed in the disaster kit and the older bag then used at home.
First Aid Kit - Your first aid kit should always be taken in a disaster. Basic kit will include scissors, hemostat, stypic powder or something else to stop bleeding, nail trimmers, vet wrap and some handfeeding syringes
. Medications should also be kept in here. Again, plan for a couple of weeks with medications.
Supplements - Include a supply of any supplements your bird is used to getting.
Towel - Readers of Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy know the importance of towels in space travel, but towels are equally important for a disaster kit. A large towel should be included and can be used for anything from covering a cage, restraining a bird, making a shadey area etc etc. A towel is your best friend, take one for each bird if possible.
Carrier - One for each bird. Keep them next to cages, you really don't need to waste time trying to get them out of that cupboard when there's a house fire or chemical spill. Keep them ready with newspaper in the bottom. Have a towel next to the cage aswell incase the bird is not tame, or is scared and not cooperating.
Dishes - For putting food and water in (duh!). Heavy porcelain ones are great here as you can put them at the bottom of a cage or carrier and it's hard for the bird to knock them over.
Newspaper - For lining the cage etc
Paperwork - Vet records and proof of ownership.
So that's the basics that every one should have. Depending on how many birds you have there are all sorts of things you can keep the kit in such as a duffle bag, tote bag or even a rubbermaid tub. The important thing is that it is handy to grab in a hurry. A central location is good as if you put it next to one door and are cut off from that escape route it will be useless.
Make sure you know the best way to pack your car with supplies so you are not flustered when an emergency happens.
Plan at least three routes out of town and at least three different places to stay. Make sure you know of vets etc out of your area who will be able to help you should your bird become ill.
Have a plan for the order you will grab your birds too. Consider things like health and location and make different plans for different emergencies.
The Extras
Folding cage - cages that fold up to the size of a briefcase are excellent not only for an emergency, but for trips too!. Most birds can chew their way out of a regular plastic carrier when they get fed up of it. A folding cage means you have somewhere secure for your bird.
Toys - A bored bird is an unhappy bird. Keeping spares of your birds fav toy in your disaster kit goes a long way for the mental health of your bird in an emergency. Shreddable and puzzle toys are great as are foot toys.
Water Bottles - If your bird is trained to use a water bottle these are great in an emergency. There is less chance of water spilling and being wasted. Plus if there are contaminates in the are then there is less chance of them getting into your birds water. Most carriers can be adapted to add a small water bottle. Make sure to carry a spare though.
Fruit and Veggies - Dried (unsulfured) fruits and veggies are good for making sure your bird gets his daily veggies. Individual fruit salad cups are good too so long as they have no added things and are in juice only. Organic Apple sauce comes in indivdual servings and is another handy thing. It can also be hand fed as a comfort food.
Small Spray Bottle - For misting your bird to keep it cool and for the benefit of the feathers. You can get ones that hold one or two cups of liquid.
Cleaning products - Vinegar, GSE etc Look for small travel bottles at your local supermarket to keep these in.
A cooler - If you have time, throw some fresh fruit and veggies into a cooler with ice. Use these for the first day or two to extend the life of your packaged food and to provide fresh vitamins when your bird is most stressed.
Money Saving Hints
Craigslist is a great place to find things like folding cages and carriers.
Spend time searching online stores for deals. A store out of state that is having a sale can sometimes be cheaper then buying locally, especially if you have sales tax.
Shop Charity stores for things like towels, coolers etc.
Information From www.anafricangrey.ca/forum
Written By AnAg Member Birdtrouble