Bun travel

[MiserySmith]

Would a rabbit be alright for a 1 day drive in a bin cage?
Also what veggies/fruit are good for moisture when traveling?

I know most people use cat carriers, and I've been scanning my local kijiji but it looks like I won't be able to find a cheap one soon enough for my move in less than 2 weeks.
Obviously I'd mesh the side and top, I was contemplating even using NIC grids like on his cage so it feels a bit more familiar and so he can receive pats.
It'll be big enough for him & his food. I'll be using a blanket for the bottom, with a small litterbox attached to the side.

 

[LaylaLop]

Look at my thread about homemade travel carrier..

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=71688&forum_id=93

I'm building a tub-transit cage for my two bunnies. I'll be taking them on a 4-6 day drive and also wanted something they could have more space in than just a cat carrier, but still be safe and contained. I'm still in the process of adding wire to the top but hopefully that helps somewhat! You can pm me questions or reply on that thread/here if you want.

 

[1234bunnies777]

That is a really good home made carrier
but it ultimatly depends on the bunnies 2 my bunnies love car trips but one of them flips out the second we get in the car

 

[MiserySmith]

Ooo, your bin is coming along good. I've made them before for my mice and I just love them..
Can I ask why you chose the dark bin Kim? I've never made one out of a non-clear bin and I'm concerned it'll be too dark for him.

 

[LaylaLop]

Well, the clear bins seem to crack more I've found. The colored ones are more rubbery.

I've also found that mine panic more when they can see a lot of things moving by and I wanted minimal outward visibility, like the plastic airline dog crates.

It can be stressful enough on them to travel, so I figured if they could be in a dark quieter space that is like a mini-cage they'd be more comfortable. It's not like they really need light to find the food or water or where they pee.. Plus they'll still be able to see out the front wire, but can't see EVERYTHING around them.

 

[ZRabbits]

LaylaLop wrote:

Well, the clear bins seem to crack more I've found. The colored ones are more rubbery.

I've also found that mine panic more when they can see a lot of things moving by and I wanted minimal outward visibility, like the plastic airline dog crates.

It can be stressful enough on them to travel, so I figured if they could be in a dark quieter space that is like a mini-cage they'd be more comfortable. It's not like they really need light to find the food or water or where they pee.. Plus they'll still be able to see out the front wire, but can't see EVERYTHING around them.

I agree with Kim. Traveled 6 hours back twice with bunnies. Kept them in their carrier with a towel partially over to keep it darker and quieter. They could still see us and hear us. Truly was less stressful for them.

Colored ones are more rubbery and is a better choice. Holds up much better. Just my opinion.

K

 

[LaylaLop]

And to answer your question, I like giving them carrot pieces while on the road since they contain a fair bit of moisture and can be kept in a portable cooler bag with a freezer pack, as well as other veggies. I know they're high in sugar, but the moisture and ease of transport of carrots makes them my go-to choice for travel liquid. I used to do that with gerbils when transporting them.

I even flew with gerbils one time and gave them several baby carrots per carrier and they did fine (even with the airport security flipping them upside down and such). They were in transit for about 10 hours and all survived. When I got to the hotel they got to run around in the bathtub and I gave them water then. Poor gerbils, but I digress..

Water seems to slosh out, and water bottles will drip constantly when in motion. They usually won't even drink water when being moved so my plan is to provide them with some water every few hours when we stop and have a constant supply of hay/pellets/carrots/greens for them.

I put in a litterbox today to see how much room it takes up and it's about 2/3 of the whole carrier! I plan to hold the litterbox in place with a screw-on crock that their food will be in and put my mini trash can hay-rack over the litterbox.

They like being in their litterbox, so I figure they'll feel safest traveling in it and it will make clean-up easiest for me.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray:

 

[MiserySmith]

That makes sense. I planned on having a blanket over most of it anyway.
But then today, I considered using the NIC grids to make a 2x1 and then put it into a bin for a base. But if he'll want darkness that much I should probably just stick with the bin cage eh?