Cube mk2 and WIR

[mullethunter]

I’ve found what looks like a lovely home for one of my cockerel chicks, but it’s going to be the best part of a 3 hour drive (half with me and half with his new owner) to get there. How much room does he need during the journey and dark or light? 

Normally I put my chooks in a cat box when I need to transport them anywhere, but because there’s a handover involved here I can’t do that - there’s no way I’m risking him being uncontained at a motorway services so he’s going to have to go in some kind of box that I can just give to his new owner.

I have a small pet carrier (one of the boxes with handles that you get hamsters and the like in) that would fit the bill. There’s just enough room for him to stand / sit / turn around. But only just. And it’s pretty dark because it’s just a box with small ventilation holes cut in.

Would that be OK for his 3hr journey or does he need more light and space?
 

 

[Cat tails]

I think he will just snooze if it’s dark. It should be okay I think. 
How long does he need to travel after the handover?

[mullethunter]

An hour and a bit with me and the same after the handover

[Cat tails]

You could always pop him in the pet carrier for your bit and then put him in the cardboard box before handover. But I wouldn’t worry too much. They sleep much longer at night without food and water.

[Daphne]

I would just put him in a cardboard box, just a tiny bit bigger than him, with a bit of bedding.  Cut some holes on either side for carrying and a range of small holes up high for air/ventilation (before the bird is in there obviously!)  I would transport him the whole way like that so no faffing, or disturbance, opportunity for escape and you don't mind handing over the box!  I used to do it regularly.  A big orp in a big wine box, a smaller sussex in whatever I could get from the supermarket.  I put a seatbelt around the box on the back seat, but I have also put boxes in the boot before now, without the parcel shelf.  Enough air is obviously paramount, but honestly, most birds are not bothered at all, the dark quietens them down.

[mullethunter]

Thanks both. Daphne that pretty much describes the box I have and I’ll probably put it in the boot without he parcel shelf as you say. Thanks both for the reassurance.

[Patricia W]

I’d put him in a smallish container so he isn’t thrown around as you travel.   Best kept in the dark so he’ll just go to sleep.  I put them in the boot of my Picasso, with things packed around so the box doesn’t move. The middle back seat folds down so I can see the box. I put the radio on and drive. 

He’ll be fine.  

[mullethunter]

Here’s him and his carriage! I’m very sad to see him go - he’s lovely and has some beautiful colours in his feathers.

[The Dogmother]

That dark box will be fine; he will go into roost mode and snuggle down.

[Luvachicken]

When are you taking him ?

I hope you have a safe journey.