Cardboard Boxes for Transport to Processor?

[jennyf]

Anyone know of any issues with transporting birds 2.5 hours to processor in the back of a SUV in cardboard boxes? Would cut some holes in the boxes. Thought it would work well to find a recycle bin to dispose of them after I drop off birds and then I have cooler space. The other option is a large open wire dog crate, I could use plywood to make it a double decker. But seems like there'd then be more poop flying around. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Flock Master64]

how far do you plan on taking them? I bet you could take a blanket or towel and put it over the wite dog crate to keep stuff from getting out.

 

[cottontail farm]

If you want to set fire to the blanket when you're done

Oh man. Learned this one the hard way. Save yourself the time and effort of cleaning out a carrier and just use the cardboard box. My processing place, god bless them, even asks if I want the boxes back? NO thanks.
Cut holes in the box for ventilation, put down some straw or hay for footing for the birds and away you go.
Call around to the "dollar" type stores (dollar general, family dollar) and ask them for the large boxes that paper towels and toilet paper come in.
If you insist on using a crate like I did the first few times, lay down a disposable table cloth ($1 at dollar store) and put the crates on top of it. Use clamps to wrap the disposable a couple of inches around each side. This helps with the poop issue.
We have a honda CRVand our processors are only 15 min away. The birds WILL poop, guarantee. Pop open the back hatch. The enclosed box, plus bedding will help dampen the poultry poo smell,

 

[cottontail farm]

Unless you're taking ducks. In that case do not EVER use a crate. They ninja poop in all directions. Disposable containers only.

 

[donrae]

I think cardboard would be best.

You're going to need a lot of ventilation in those boxes. Those birds generate so much heat just on their own, they'll heat up a confined space and give themselves heat stroke even when ambient temp isn't that high.

And agree, the poop smell will be atrocious. I've transported 3-5 hens in a kennel in my van for a 4-5 hour trip and the smell would get pretty bad. I guess fasting them might help, if they don't eat they're not pooping so much.

How many birds are you talking about? for few enough that will fit in the back of an SUV, and a 5 hour round trip, I'd sure be learning to butcher myself.

 

[jennyf]

Ugh, tell me about it. I have 15. This is my Plan B, although Plan A is a 1.5 hour trip. Plan A said she isn't positive she will have enough birds to do at that time (which she unfortunately didn't mention would be a possibility when I called her pre-bird acquisition to discuss dates and procedures). Actually, would they do ok in the open back of a pickup somehow or would that totally stress them out? I can use husbands truck, but then there's potentially weather/sun issues. I can just air out my car on the way home. You're right, I just need to suck it up and learn to do it myself. Part of the issue is that we are in the suburbs and also would need to find someone to take our two small children offsite for the day. I'm going to keep looking for someone local though. I've learned from calling dozens of dead ends (don't do chickens, recently closed, etc) that small processors really have struggles staying in business with the big commercial producers monopolizing so much of the poultry market. Anyhoo, thanks for your reply!

 

[lmkitties]

What did you eventually use to transport your birds, Jennyf? I have to take 20 birds on a 2.5 hour trip in two weeks.

 

[jennyf]

I used big cardboard boxes, cut a hole in the top, then put a sheet over them and drove with windows down. Did not work well tho--they got hot, and boxes weren't sturdy enough to carry them easily into processor. I think it I had to do it again I'd try do double-decker them in a wire dog crate. I did like that it kept them dark and quiet, and also that when I got to the processor, I could toss the boxes to make room for the processed birds. Good luck!

 

[theoldchick]

Cardboard boxes are fine so long as there is plenty of ventilation and the birds are out of the sun. Of course I'm assuming there are enough holes in the box to supply air. Never transport birds in the back of a truck in a cardboard box.