Transporting Cockerel Overnight

[Ted Brown]

I will pickup a cockerel just before Christmas well into our winter.

I have a cat transport container, a 30" wire cage with bottom, various cardboard boxes. Elapsed time 12-24 hours, overnight, 5 hours driving.

Words of wisdom please.

Thank you.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Will the bird be in the vehicle or a building during the transport time not spent driving?

 

[Ted Brown]

Remain in vehicle preferred.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would avoid the wire cage then.

Cat carrier will provide ventilation, and you can add shavings or fabric to help add a bit of a cold buffer. Carbord boxes won't allow much ventilation and any wet poop will soak into it

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I'd toss him into the 30" cage and use a blanket over that to keep him calm.

It'll stink. But cardboard layer in bottom would be easy to clean. Take cat carrier so you can contain him to clean larger cage if needed.

 

[Ted Brown]

Cut him off food 24 hours in advance?

 

[alwaystj9]

Drive as much as you can over night when they naturally roost, he';ll be quieter and more settled then.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Cut him off food 24 hours in advance?

I never have when moving birds, but I've never moved then that long either

 

[theoldchick]

Plastic dog carrier will work fine. I put it in the back seat and strap the carrier with the seat belt. Use pine shavings in the bottom. Instead of water, I use an apple cut in half so the bird can peck at it. Some folks use a hamster water bottle for longer trips. Give him his usual food. If you use a wire crate you may have to cover him with a blanket to keep him calm. Make sure air can move through the carrier or crate. I transport lots of chickens and they do really well as long as the carrier they are in is well secured-they don't like sliding around. Be sure to protect your car seat with an added layer of covering-sheet or blanket. And as always don't leave him in a hot car or unattended in the vehicle. If you stay overnight in a motel, call him a dog and bring the crate in the room with you.

Safe travels!

 

[Ted Brown]

Great advice, thank you all!