Looking for suggestions - moving with chickens!

[mykel]

Hubby and I have had enough of the suburbs and have bought a small farm in Georgia. The move will take 10-11 hours. I have four hens going with us. I’m putting the coop on a trailer. I’m going to travel at night when the hens will most likely sleep. Do you think they would do better in their coop on the trailer if I protect them from the wind, or should I put them in a crate with a roosting bar in the backseat? Or is there a better way?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

As long as it is cool enough, they will probably be fine in the coop.
If you'll be on the road in any heat, put them in the car.

 

[aart]

Hmmm....First thought is that the trailer might be a bouncy ride for them.
But the backseat will be a stinky ride for you.
What does coop look like...got pics, inside and out?

 

[TomZilla43]

Hmm.....I've never had to move chickens long distance but I would imagine if you can protect them from the wind that letting them roost in their coop as you travel would be as good a way to move them as any. Of course provided that the coop is secure on the trailer and they are secure in the coop. I can't really think of any upside to putting them in a crate. But that's just supposition on my part, best of luck on your move. Hope everything goes smoothly

 

[mykel]

And I have one very broody momma-wannabe!
[
QUOTE="aart, post: 21579626, member: 175197"]Hmmm....First thought is that the trailer might be a bouncy ride for them.
But the backseat will be a stinky ride for you.
What does coop look like...got pics, inside and out?[/QUOTE]

 

[aart]

Coop on trailer might work fine...blocking some wind but not all the ventilation.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
Some wind won't hurt them. I'm sure they can avoid it in a building if they are uncomfortable. Chickens outdoors deal with wind all the time.

 

[Mrs. K]

What does the trailer look like? As the coop is top heavy, it might be more secure to tip the coop over to trailer it.

Truthfully, I think you are over thinking this, I have seen chickens travel in a gunny sack in the back of a pick up, and while their feathers were ruffled, and they did kind of glare when they got out, they were fine in 15 minutes.

Traveling at night should not be a problem at all. They will more than likely stop laying fr a bit of time, chickens hate change, even good change.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I have seen chickens travel in a gunny sack in the back of a pick up,

For 10 hours?

Coop on trailer might work fine...blocking some wind but not all the ventilation.

Been thinking about this, the wind can be wicked behind a car traveling 75 MPH...hard to test how windy it might be in the coop. Will you be able to see inside the coop while you are driving...coop cam?
Might bring crates along just in case you need a Plan B.

 

[Mrs. K]

No, not for 10 hours, but really a box for 10 hours is not going to kill a chicken either. People mail chickens. 10 hours at night, I just don't think will be that big of deal. I would worry a bit more of the coop coming off the trailer, being top heavy.