Need suggestions on how to travel with pet ducks

[capenewfs]

We are moving from Florida to Massachsuetts and we plan on bringing our 5 pet ducks with us. The trip will take a few weeks because of the time between the closings and we are aiming to get north as soon as possible. Here is my question: Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it most comfortable for the ducks? For instance, I was thinking of getting a rubbermaid bin for each one and making a sandy bottom for each of them with a small bucket of water and food. It would be open topped so they can see each other. Any inspiration out there?

 

[nchls school]

We are moving from Florida to Massachsuetts and we plan on bringing our 5 pet ducks with us. The trip will take a few weeks because of the time between the closings and we are aiming to get north as soon as possible. Here is my question:  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it most comfortable for the ducks? For instance, I was thinking of getting a rubbermaid bin for each one  and making a sandy bottom for each of them with a small bucket of water and food. It would be open topped so they can see each other. Any inspiration out there? 

"Been there and done that", as my kids would say. Overheating! However you do this make sure they do not become overheated. Plenty of ventilation is need. You might want to consider two to a bin so they stay calmer.
Years ago I had to bring mallards some 300 miles. They overheated and some died-devastating to say the least.
Good luck.

 

[capenewfs]

Great idea to keep them with a friend, they hate to be separated. I need to get them north fast, it is really hot in Florida. They will be in the AC during the day and I'll crack all the windows at night.

 

[TLWR]

We were planning on putting the ducks in our dane sized kennel in the back of the truck. We were going to do a test run to see if we needed to wrap the sides of the kennel to keep wind down or not, but we didn't end up moving, so didn't end up doing it.

 

[MeepBeep]

My advice is plastic dog kennels or wire cages on a trailer or in the back of a pickup truck...

But, that would be for an actual move, from what you imply this will not only be for a move but also a several week temporary home and that drastically complicates things...

I can't imagine doing it in a car or enclosed vehicle, especially if you leave them in the car overnight the stink will be horrible...

If it was going to be weeks as yo imply, I personally would buy a trailer (cheap Harbor Freight 4x8 or 5x8) and build a mobile coop on the trailer or get a livestock trailer...

 

[capenewfs]

I don't think I have a choice. They have to be in the car with AC because the heat in the south is horrible right now. I'm thinking I can clean them every morning before I go out to get my coffee and before my husband wakes up, I'm thinking of a sand base in the rubbermaid bins. The smell will be tough but with a daily cleaning, I hope we can breath on the road.

 

[MeepBeep]

I don't think I have a choice. They have to be in the car with AC because the heat in the south is horrible right now.

That is why I suggested building a mobile coop on a trailer, a dong cage or other cage outside the vehicle, you can put lots of ventilation and as long as you are moving it won't be that hot...

The smell will be tough but with a daily cleaning, I hope we can breath on the road.

I picked up a few birds at a livestock show about 4 hours away and transported them in the back of our SUV in a wire cage on a blue tarp exactly ONCE, and I'll never do it again... Maybe a short 30 minute or possibly an hour, never more...

 

[enola]

You are going to need a bedding that you can completely remove and replace every morning. I hauled chickens overnight one time, the smell was terrible after two days.

You are also going to need health certificates for your ducks to haul them across state lines.
They will only need food and water when you stop to eat and drink. Leaving the water in with them all of the time is only going to compound the mess you will have to clean up.

 

[Orca5094]

Whichever cage/bin you decide on (I agree with having at least two in together, don't do them by themselves or it'll be much more stressful), I would highly suggest planning to clean them out multiple times a day. When ducks are kept in such small areas they will soil it very very quickly and it will be extremely smelly and messy/dirty for the ducks as well. You don't want them to all be covered in poo for the entire trip, right?

Are you stopping off somewhere for the "several weeks" where they can have a small enclosure to relax in outside of their cages/bins?

 

[Kangasox]

What about a thick layer of newspaper on the bottom of the bin so you can put shavings or something on top, then crumple/roll it up to dispose of it once or twice a day? That might help with cleanup. I'd suggest a large plastic dog crate (with the holes at the top) and keeping them together. We're in NC, and my ducks pant just walking around the yard do they'll probably love the ac

. Complicated for sure, but I'm sure you'll work it out and I commend you for not abandoning them in FL!