Transporting Rabbits

[Blaze_Amita]

Hey, any other breeders ever have to move states? I live in upstate NY right now, but this fall I'll be moving to Winchester, KY area. My babies have to come with me, Around 24 rabbits, and 2 horses.

The horses I am not as worried about, both trailer well and I'm going to have a hauler do them. The rabbits are going to ride down in a horse trailer behind my truck, since They go at the same time I do, the horses I don't mind going before I do, my aunt will take very good care of them.

What kind of precautions and steps should I take to prepare them for moving? Most of them have been to shows so they know how to travel, but it's a 16 hour drive by car, and with my truck, It'll probably take closer to 18 hours. I was thinking hay in their cages for them to nibble on, i don't want pellets to get flung around or for someone to chock on a pellet if i happen to hit a bump while they munch.

Anyone have any ideas?

And after they settle in and stuff, is there anyone on here that's from around there that could help me get used to the show world down there? I'm typically a bit shy when I'm alone, up here in NY i've got my best friend that shows with me(DIff breeds though)

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Give them hay to nibble on and some carrots and apples for them too. I went to Kansas with a car load and they did just fine. When I stopped for dinner, I fed and watered them first, went in and ate, and then took the water bottles and dishes out.

Just remember to have emergency supplies on hand when you get to KY. This way, if a rabbit has an issue when you arrive, you don't have to go find a place to buy things.

Sharon

 

[BlueGiants]

I also use apples or carrots for moisture in the carriers. UI make sure they have a good supply of hay (although very few of my rabbits eat while traveling). And I also feed and water when we stop. I don't let them travel with water (bottles or bowls) while we drive. Between spilling and other problems, it's not worth it.

 

[Blaze_Amita]

I've had a baby drown himself once, in his cage, he was 4 months old, raised on a water bottle and then he decided bumping the bottle with his nose and sniffing the water was a good idea, or sticking his whole head in the water bowl was fun when I swapped to that to try and save him. Not the brightest baby there. I'm having my dad look for a nutrena dealer right now and I've got to switch the horses over to a nutrena feed instead of the agway.

 

[BlueGiants]

Because you are moving to such a different region (not just across town), I would probably take 2-3 5 gallon bottles of water with me, in case the water at the new house smells/tastes different. It'll give you a few day to wean them over to the new water.

I know we have been in places with well water that my rabbits refused to drink. Not sure why, and I assume that if we were staying there for any length of time, they would have adapted. But it might make it easier on you to have some "old water" to mix in. Better than waiting for them to get thirsty enough to drink.

 

[maherwoman]

We just recently (about two weeks ago) moved from California to up here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It took us three days of driving total (with three night's stay in places).

Were you planning on doing one whole long drive, all in one day?

Is the trailer going to have sufficient temperature control and air circulation for the buns?

We basically had the buns in carriers with their water bottles (they're Water Buddies, so just a valve, not a long thing sticking into their carriers) and gave them their regular litter and hay to sit on. You said they're going to be traveling in their regular cages? So, it that wouldn't need to be done...but you'll need to be sure to check on them regularly, making sure no one's cage falls, or anything like that. Since we normally feed the buns at night, they didn't travel with their pellet food (not that they'd eat it during a road trip, so no loss there). I would keep from feeding them until the trip is over, and veggies that they're used to (so you know you won't have anyone with digestive upset).

Rabbits are much heartier than most people give them credit for. We've flown two buns now from one coast to another, and did our recent three-day drive with them, and had no problems at all. I was actually much more concerned for the cats, who have a VERY hard time with any sort of car ride...and even they were great!

 

[RAL Rabbitry]

If they are traveling in a trailer make sure there are rubber mats under the carriers to help absorb the bumps. Even air ride trailers are a bumpy ride.

Roger

 

[Blaze_Amita]

yes, one longggg day trip. i know it's a horse trailer so It does have some rubber matting in it, but I'll probably put a blanket down or something soft to help absorb bumps. I'll probably bring closer to ten gallons with me of my water. We're on our own well right now, and where we are going is on town water that I can taste the clorine in it, so i'm more willing to bet they can taste it too.
It's going to be rougher if i have to trailer my own horses down too, cause they'll be a seperate trip . . . *sigh* i hate moving . . .

 

[BlueGiants]

Good luck with the move. Don't let it be stressful and tedious... have patience and do it one step at a time...

 

[trackerteam6]

Start now and add a tablespoon of white vinigar per gallon to their water. It will help when you arive and start using city water. Take food with you, hay will be fine for the trip but feed them when you arrive. I like to use fresh cut tree limbs, apple, elm, sugar maple with the bark on it kkeps them occupied during the trip. They will strip the bark off the limbs. Yes I do use a lot of old time remidies, but they work and they also help them with all the excitement of the move. They will sense your exceitment about the move all these things help (in my opinion). Good Luck

 

[maherwoman]

BlueGiants wrote:

Good luck with the move. Don't let it be stressful and tedious... have patience and do it one step at a time...

I agree wholeheartedly. That was something we had to do on our move...just remind ourselves that it's okay if we took it slow and had many stops. It was important to be checking and being sure everyone was okay...and for them to see us caring enough to do so, if that makes sense. I think it really helped everyone during the journey.