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Post by Duck Diva on Oct 18, 2008 20:17:39 GMT 8
Hi there everyone, I have just contacted Liz in herne Hill who has Indian Runners and Belgian D'uccle bantams. So Im off up there in a couple of weeks to pick up the chicks & ducklings. If anyone has any tips for transporting them, I would appreciate it. I will have to stay over in Perth for the night before coming back to Busselton. What can I do to keep them warm on the trip and overnight stay? Have a light at home I can take, just worried about the trip really. Have waited a long time for these babies so dont want to lose them. Thyanks, Wendy
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Post by horses7 on Oct 18, 2008 21:06:27 GMT 8
My chickies have travelled from here for over 12 hrs with no mishaps on the way home. what they had was a hot water bottle in the bottom of the box covered well with a towel to keep them warm, but you would have to see what the temp is going to be the day you are taking them to see whether you will need extra warmth or not, if it is hot you might have to sacrifice the air con in the car. I would suggest separating the ducklings and the chicks and make certain they have had a good feed and drink before you start and possibly having a break on the way to see you they need another drink and I wouldnt advise putting them in the boot of the car. all this also depends on what age the chicks are when you pick them up
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Post by rainbow on Oct 18, 2008 23:00:13 GMT 8
Wendy....
I took 8 day old chicks from Liz in July this year, then travelled further up the hill to collect 2 mature Muscovys... Then proceded to cart them all home to Carnarvon the next day. Weather was Foul, and we lost a heap of time due to rain, so ended up staying overnight in Geraldton... Dont worry too much about heat and lights, just keep them in a box with some sawdust/woodshavings. They will keep warm. Just change the base litter at least twice a day.
If I can make this trip (nearly1000kms) with 8 chicks, 2 ducks, 2 axolotls, and 3 kids in the middle of winter...
YOU can do Busselton without a problem.
Just make sure to stop every hour and spray the Ducks with water... take a Spray bottle or one of those pump up pressure spray bottles.
The Chicks, throw a LOT, and I mean A LOT of crumble in the bottom of the box, use it like a base litter over newspaper, so they can easily find food. Dont even worry about feed trays... just put heaps of food into the box. It is only a day or two, change the base newspaper and re litter twice a day, it will be fine.
Water... Put in a small tray loaded with cotton wool balls. The cotton wool holds heaps of water but allows little if any, to spill, but the chicks can still drink easily and freely.
Hmmmm.... sounds a bit like I have done this before...
Hope some of this helps.
Tam.
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Post by Duck Diva on Oct 19, 2008 8:02:00 GMT 8
Thanks so much for your advice guys.Tam, sounds like a mammoth task!! Where did you stay at Geraldton? with friends or in a motel etc?? If so I bet they thought it was amusing!! i think it will definately be warm when we come, the temp has been rising last couple of weeks. I have a couple of old cat transporting box thingies, will they be ok or should I use cardboard boxes? So no straw in the bottom? Just food and water. I can organise them better once I get to Cardup for the night. How come they have to be separated? When I get them home should I keep them separate? Or can they share the box? They will be inside and I will probably take them to work with me too so I can keep an eye on them. Dont trust Alan to keep littlies away while Im not home! lol! cheers, Wendy.
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Post by rainbow on Oct 19, 2008 8:30:44 GMT 8
Duckling loike lots of water and are messy. Better to keep them separate from your chicks. When they grow up, they can live together in a pen... mine all do.
The Pet carrier thingys will be fine.
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Post by fluffychook on Oct 19, 2008 8:39:36 GMT 8
The bottom of the carriers need to have something on them as they are slippery, this can cause lots of problems for young birds legs. I would put straw with maybe some quality paper towels with ridges on the bottom.
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Post by horses7 on Oct 20, 2008 14:27:37 GMT 8
Hi rainbow, I had heard of lettuce leaves soaked in water as a good way to stop dehydration on trips but not the cotton balls soaked in water, what a great idea.
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