Moving with my Muscovy, Need Advice

[mollymac]

I am moving to Idaho from California and I am taking my Muscovy hen, Sofia, with me. It is a long trip and I am very concerned about managing the trip. I have not been able to find much advice so far, and time is getting short. I am taking her in my small SUV with my geriatric boxer and two kitties. I was thinking that I would put Sofia in the medium dog crate that I use to take her to the vet, put poopy pads, hay, some material from her present nest, food , and a water bottle. Does anyone have any additional suggestions? I am very concerned for her well being and beginning to panic.

 

[featherhead007]

She's gonna miss California, Be prepared for some culture shock at her new home in Idaho, but maybe the extra space can be a good change for all of you.

 

[mollymac]

She's going to live on my friend's hobby farm in Marsing with other ducks, alpaca, sheep goats, rabbits, and chickens Big pool, and a barn for the winters If she's unhappy I can move her back with me. I'm very concerned about the 16 hour trip. Nothing I've seen on the internet is encouraging. I was hoping that I could get some feedback on this site.

 

[casportpony]

Is the crate big enough for her to stand and turn around in? If so, I think she'll be fine.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Do you have a harness for her. If you did you could get her out every so many miles and let her walk around for some exercise other than that like @casportpony says she should be fine if she has room to move around in the crate

 

[Jpat]

Your over thinking it

People ship day old ducklings in boxes through the mail, Youll be okay!

The wind on the freeway would probably be scary if the windows are down

give her a bath in the tub for awhile before you leave so you know shes well hydrated

 

[MaxwellHouse]

Due to hurricane Irma I evacuated from South Florida to Kentucky. Due to the traffick of mass evacuation my teenage drake and I were in my car for almost 3 days! I started with him in plastic storage container as I was not prepared with a dog crate. I ended up buying pieces of sod and he held on to the sod with his feet as I drove around curves a little fast. He loved looking out the window. I did have to worry about him flying out when I opened the car door thus I was very very careful. He had a blast. The only issue was ducks drink massive quantities of water so I always had water out for him which he would sometimes spill thus I gave up on not getting my car wet with water. The sod actually held a lot of pee/poop. I brought doggy pads but he liked to hold on to the sod.
We knew we had arrived in KY when someone at a rest area asked with the long southern draw, "What kind of dog is that?"

Make sure your duck can move his legs, stretch his wings and legs, etc . . , Also try puttting your duck in the car and in the crate to see his reaction. I had my duck in the plastic tote as he was initially freaking out and broke some of his flight feathers as he did not understand he could not fly through the glass. He hurt himself smashing into it. Once he was in the tote for a while I let him out as he had already learned the hard way about glass. Also keep in mind temperature and ventilation. Look at where the airlines were storing dogs?!?!? Of course the dogs died!

 

[Lil Drake40]

 

[casportpony]

x2

 

[mollymac]

Thank you so much for your advice; the sod idea is genius!!! I love it. The crate is plenty big, I've taken her to the vet in it before. I was thinking of a hanging water dispenser, like those used for rabbits, as well as a bowl of water.