MOVING help! Long move/travel with 8 chickens

[Whitewolf9]

I don't know which thread to post this under, I am possibly getting kicked out with only a few days notice and have to possibly move 12 hours away, to my parents for temporary, a family member says they'll house and take the chickens and build a coop ( I can't take the coops but I will be taking the fencing) I have two seperate flocks of 4 a piece, the only two options i have are
- my parents drive their pickup truck and I can put them in the bed in wired dog cages, no other vehicle will fit all the crates ( I have NEVER transported anything other than kittens or dogs)
Or
- try to re-home the chickens in a short period of time
Has anyone had success with long term moving? Any helpful ideas for transport? Would it be better to just re-home them to save them the stress, I love them a ton and have had them for about two years but I don't want to kill them by all the stress.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would attempt to transport them with you since you have family willing to help out.
The wire cages may be a good way to go.
Does the pickup bed have a cover? If not, then you'll want to block the wind somehow. It will be better on the birds to be in a relatively darkened place so perhaps covering with cardboard with plenty of ventilation may work. Or depending on how large the crates are, placing sections inside so the birds have a slot of their own.

Poultry shipping boxes are expensive, so I'm not suggesting that you buy them, but do take a look at the dimensions and size of the box. You may be able to source boxes large enough at a store like Dollar General - they will usually allow you to delve into their cardboard dumpster out back. Cut down some toilet paper or paper towels boxes to size, cut in ventilation, place shavings in the bottom and place 1 bird in each box to transport.

I've only had 1 live adult hen shipped to me overnight and she was fine. She was shipped in one of the bird boxes which is required by the Postal Service. The shipper put a nice layer of shavings in the bottom and nothing else. She was on a plane, in postal trucks, etc. and was fine, but happy to get out! The box is not extremely large, but you don't want the bird to be able to flap around a lot inside either if that makes sense.

Do be aware of heat when traveling, even if they are in a place with plenty of airflow, the sun beating down on boxes or cages will be hot!

Hope that helps.


https://www.amazon.com/Shipping-Horizon-Chickens-Poultry-Gamefowl/dp/B01I3OPF2C

 

[Whitewolf9]

I would attempt to transport them with you since you have family willing to help out.
The wire cages may be a good way to go.
Does the pickup bed have a cover? If not, then you'll want to block the wind somehow. It will be better on the birds to be in a relatively darkened place so perhaps covering with cardboard with plenty of ventilation may work. Or depending on how large the crates are, placing sections inside so the birds have a slot of their own.

Poultry shipping boxes are expensive, so I'm not suggesting that you buy them, but do take a look at the dimensions and size of the box. You may be able to source boxes large enough at a store like Dollar General - they will usually allow you to delve into their cardboard dumpster out back. Cut down some toilet paper or paper towels boxes to size, cut in ventilation, place shavings in the bottom and place 1 bird in each box to transport.

I've only had 1 live adult hen shipped to me overnight and she was fine. She was shipped in one of the bird boxes which is required by the Postal Service. The shipper put a nice layer of shavings in the bottom and nothing else. She was on a plane, in postal trucks, etc. and was fine, but happy to get out! The box is not extremely large, but you don't want the bird to be able to flap around a lot inside either if that makes sense.

Do be aware of heat when traveling, even if they are in a place with plenty of airflow, the sun beating down on boxes or cages will be hot!

Hope that helps.


https://www.amazon.com/Shipping-Horizon-Chickens-Poultry-Gamefowl/dp/B01I3OPF2C

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That helps a ton, I've been so upset it's crazy. Just stuck with what the best option for the chickens would be. I will definitely try it hearing what you've said. I didnt have basically any notice but I have no choice in not to go anywhere until this weekend as I can't afford a U-Haul or anything and feel like crap because I have to ask my parents and I hate asking people for anything. It's a dually 5 speed if that helps? They dont have a camper shell or anything , Could I put a tarp over the top of the cardboard boxes and leave one side of the crate open to try to block as much heat? Or maybe stick some frozen water bottles in there with them? I am low on money right now so my options are limited

 

[Whitewolf9]

And I have one chicken transport crate ( the long skinny crates. Kinda looks like a animal trapping crate but it's not I just can't think of what it's called,) one of the transport closed in dog crates for vet trips, a xl wired dog crate , and I think there's a medium wired dog crate somewhere outside I could clean up. I could possibly use my dogs medium dog crate if necessary, because she is coming with me no matter what. It's 3 brahma hens and a HUGE brahma roo, and 4 orphington hens.

 

[Whitewolf9]

And I have one chicken transport crate ( the long skinny crates. Kinda looks like a animal trapping crate but it's not I just can't think of what it's called,) one of the transport closed in dog crates for vet trips, a xl wired dog crate , and I think there's a medium wired dog crate somewhere outside I could clean up. I could possibly use my dogs medium dog crate if necessary, because she is coming with me no matter what. It's 3 brahma hens and a HUGE brahma roo, and 4 orphington hens and would I do water and feed stops or put water in there? I only have two huge 3.5 gallon waterers and the 5 quart waterers, sorry for all the questions I'm worried sick over it.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to rehome them where you are now. If they are healthy birds, someone may want to start a flock of their own. I have given away chickens to others at no cost since I thought they would take care of the birds. If they are a couple of years old, though they may be laying, they are not as valuable as brand new hens. They could start molting soon, which may have them a bit raggedy. Traveling so far in the summer heat may be hard on them. It sounds like you may need to not have the responsibility of the birds as you deal with this move. But if you take them, be sure to cover the top of the cages for shade but have some good ventliation, without beating them to death with wind. It would be a challenge to anyone to give them enough room, but feel,safe, and not have them pecking each other. Someday soon, you could start over with healthy baby chicks from a hatchery if you still want chickens.