Traveling With Ducks.. Tips & Suggestions? UPDATE! Problem Solved :D

[xxSonja]

Ok so i have to move house, and im taking all my animals with me, unfortunatly where im moving to is a 12hr drive up the coast, so any suggestions or tips on how to make this trip less stressful on my three ducks would be much appreciated.
(I've traveled with dogs and cats before but never ducks)

 

[MDC]

I've posted a bit about this on the heading to Colorado thread. I'll try to find a link to it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=276938

Hope that helps...

 

[rainplace]

I just pop the ducks into a big dog travel crate and put them in back. It stinks, but I don't care. In a 12 hour period I wouldn't worry about water and food. I've found that wood shavings are awful, and that straw/hay works best. Put something that comes out from the crate, like an old feed bag so that if they have their butts against the door the poop lands on the bag and not your car

 

[duckyfromoz]

xxsonja - I travel with my ducks up to my weekender block even second week or so. Although the method I use for transportation wouldnt be recommended for such a long trip. My ducks have been doing the trip since they hatched so are well used to the car. They travel in the back of the Station wagon. Have food and water available- and quite often stand staring out the back window at cars behind us. I have a luggage barrier in the car, and they are in a box too, but with larger holes in it so I can see them- and they can see out.

At other times I use a cat carrier for each duck buckled in on the back seat. For such a long trip during summer, they would need to have access to water a few times. But that will just give you another reason to stop and stretch your legs for a while on such a long drive.

To get them ready for the trip you could try getting them used to what you will be transporting them in. If it is a pet carrier, put them in it a few times before the big day so they are not so scared of it. Even taking them for a quick drive may help reduce the stress they may feel on the moving day.

I guess where they will be in the car- depends on factors such as other pets, kids etc. But ensuring they have adequate air flow, to stop them overheating should also be considered.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
oops... didn't note the Australia location. Yes, it's summer, don't let them overheat! I wouldn't advise going in somewhere and leaving them in the car 'cept for short moments, and even then put the windows down!

 

[nettie]

I moved across country twice, once with one duck, the next with 4. It was a 14 hour journey from chicago to montgomery AL and then back again. I'll see if i can find some pics of our journey. The first time was with one little duckling, the next was with four grown ducks. The four grown ducks were diapered for the occasion and were in my car. I let them have the back seat to them selves and packed in floor and covered boxes/seat with a blanket so they had the whole back seat to them selves. The car was on a trailer so i had to stop from time to time to check on them and feed/water them and change them.

 

[xxSonja]

Ok i have two choices as to how they can be moved, one is in the back seat of my toyota camry, (in what sort of carrier i havent figured out yet) i have limited cages that will fit in my car as the other pets travelling in my car will be a Jack Russell, 2 x Cats - individual cages, 6 x Button Quails in 2 x small transport cages, and then my 3 smallish ducks..

The other option is putting them in a converted rabbit hutch, that use to be their bed (covered on one end, but i could cover the whole thing with shade cloth if that helps..) that all three could fit in cofortably, but that would mean putting them on the tray back of a ute for 12 hrs.. that worries me a little bit... with things like traffic? and wind? if it would it be too stressful for them? im sure they would be fine, they would be fully secure, and checked on regularly, and they could have tubs of water that wouldnt matter if it spilled, but i just worry about my pets alot...

Im wondering what size cage/crate would be appropriate for them if they are in my car, i know they will need to be able to sit and stand, enough room so they arnt cramped, but will they need room to walk around freely? or to strech up and flap?

Also i read that giving them frozen watermelon would be a way to keep them cool while on the move?
If they are in the car with me, would having the air con on be good, or bad for them?

 

[xxSonja]

Quote:
Id luv to have them free to settle in my car where ever they chose, but i just worry that its not safe, i always secure my animals in the car- my dog even has his own seatbelt connection lol plus with the other animals in the car also it wouldnt really be practical for this trip, if it was just the three of them itd be a nice idea, but the last thing i want is everybody loose in my car fighting over 'territory' while im driving lol

 

[duckyfromoz]

I let them have an open box in the back of the wagon for a short trip to deliver two to a new home- but three more came for the trip too. I got funny looks as I drove along. I also didnt have the barrier up that day.
It was only a 5 minute trip- but not recomended for skittish ducks or a long drive. They may not be as comfortable in a box or pet carrier- but would be a lot safer.
Harnesses for your dogs- Now theres an idea for nettie- maybe you could come up with a car harness for ducks too.

 

[nettie]

my ducks never sit in their carrier and always get thrown around it seems. they jostle around and get upset. so when i can, i let them free range the back seat, lol. They like to look out the window a lot. I do worry about the getting hurt if there is an accident though... Perhaps I'll have to think of a duck transporting invention or something. lol.