A crate that respects heavy legs and no flight
A Pekin is a big, heavy-bodied duck bred for the table and the pond, not for travelling. She cannot fly to balance herself, and her legs — set far back on the body — are prone to strain and splay injuries. Use a low, solid-sided crate only a little longer than the bird, with a floor she can grip: rubber matting or a thick layer of dry straw or shavings over a textured base. Slick plastic is the enemy here; a duck whose feet slide apart on every corner can damage a hip in one journey. Solid sides also stop her wedging a bill or wing through bars and keep draughts off her at road speed.
Dry bedding, moving air, no swimming bowl
Resist putting water in the crate. A Pekin given any container of water will bathe in it, soak the bedding, and then sit wet — chilling in cool weather and overheating in a damp, airless box in warm weather. Offer a drink before you close the crate and again at any stop, from a deep-enough container that she can dip her whole bill, then take it away. Ventilation is the other half of temperature control: ducks pant quickly when hot, and a Pekin in full feather in a sun-warmed vehicle can be in trouble fast. Travel in the coolest part of the day where you can, keep air moving, and never leave the crate in a parked vehicle.
Catching and lifting a bird who cannot be grabbed by the legs
Corner her quietly in a small pen rather than chasing her around a run — a panicked Pekin flaps, twists, and hurts the very legs you are trying to protect. Scoop her up with both hands, one under the breast and body weight fully supported, wings folded gently against her sides, and carry her close to your body. Never lift or carry a duck by her legs, neck, or one wing. Settle her into the crate breast-first, let a familiar companion travel in the same or an adjoining crate if she is never alone at home, and cover the top if seeing movement outside makes her thrash.
Signs the journey is too much
Check her at every stop without tipping the crate around. Quiet panting that settles when the vehicle cools is one thing; persistent open-bill breathing, wings held away from the body, weakness, or an inability to stand properly at the destination are not. A duck who comes out of the crate lame, or who cannot right her feet under her, needs veterinary attention rather than a rest and a wait-and-see.
Settling her at the destination
Set the crate down inside her new pen before opening it, and let her walk out in her own time onto ground with grip — grass or bedding, not wet concrete. Offer drinking water deep enough for bill-dipping straight away, then feed, and only add bathing water once she is calm and steady on her feet. Watch her gait for the rest of the day.
When someone else is moving or minding her, KinsLe's Care Pass gives that trusted person temporary, clear access to her routine and key details while you are away.