How do I move cross-country with ducks?

[Duck Hill]

Next summer I will be moving across the country - close to two thousand miles. I will have a rented moving truck, and behind it a trailer with my car on the trailer. I am moving with two large dogs, one of whom thinks ducks are tasty snacks, one cat, one hen and fourteen ducks. The dogs will fit in the cab of the truck. The ducks would fit in the back of the car. I could cover the car in some fabric for shade, and I could even mist the fabric for instant AC. I can have open windows. I have a wire thing that fits in the open windows to prevent any escapes. If they get really hot, I could run the car's AC. But I've never done anything like this and wonder if anyone has.
.
I worry for two reasons. First, when I open the back to feed and water them, or a side door to check on them, they could escape. Second - well, two full days of duck muck is scary. Especially if the water bowl gets knocked over. And I've transported two or three ducks at a time in the bins, locally, and sometimes one got out. WIth that many in the bins for so long, some are liable to escape the bins and to use the rest of the car. And that means duck muck everywhere. Ideally, I'd like to still have a drivable car when I get there. Any ideas as to how I can transport the 14 ducks and one chicken safely without making a total mess of my car? And how to feed and water them without having any escapees?
.
The bins are large, but I don't put any lid on them because then they get too hot, and my ducks are tall and would not be comfortable if I closed the bins. I thought of making a special cage for them for the trip, fitted to the car, but I can't quite picture how that would work. I don't quite see how I could feed and water them, and still contain the muck.
.
Any ideas?

 

[Aunt Angus]

First, you need to make sure it's legal to transport the ducks, especially given the Avian Flu situation.

 

[ruthhope]

@Duck Hill I think it unsuitable to transport 14 ducks loose in a car. The safest way to transport ducks is in dogcrates. Depending on the breed and temperament, 2 in each medium or large dogcrate. I have done two road trips with my ducks, traveling at night when it is cooler and when the ducks are naturally resting in their coop. I use puppy pads not pine shavings and do not give food from 7pm until the next morning. Sometimes there is no poop in the dogcrates. I stop briefly for water breaks every 2 hours. I have always had my husband to share the driving and we take it in turn to sleep/rest while the other is driving.

I strongly recommend that you use dogcrates inside your rental truck for moving your ducks. You can stack the dogcrates one on top of the other as long as they are tethered securely and will not move. I have only stacked one on top of another not higher.

I suggest traveling over one night; resting during the day; traveling over a second night, resting during the day and traveling over a third night. You might used dog pens to coral your ducks outside in the shade while you rest during the day. I put two 36" dog pens together and it is large enough for 8 ducks -- not to live in that space but just to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. For 14 ducks, you would need at least 3x36" dog pens. Plus somewhere safe and in the shade to put up your duck coral.

Will you have a co-driver? Do you have places to break your journey perhaps with a friend or relation who has a yard with a lawn where you could set up your pens?

A two thousand mile journey will be really challenging with so many ducks. Is there any way you might avoid it? Might you give your flock to other duck keepers locally and start again in your new home?

 

[ruthhope]

Hi @Duck Hill

How did the move go?

I just realised that this discussion was started by you after I private messaged you about Apple!