Transporting Chickens

[psychochickn]

Hello all,

We are about to go on a two plus week vacation to an island on the NC coast. We abhor the thought of making someone take care of our girls, we are so careful with them, and wouldn't want to ask anyone to take on such a responsibility. I think we have the transporting part figured out, but we want to ask opinions about potential disease exposure. There are no poultry farms in the area, however the wild bird population is huge. Any advise on why we shouldn't take them? Any thoughts on anything we may have overlooked? Will the flock be stressed out by a 6 hour trip and then a return? I know people transport chickens all the time, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[chickens really]

It is actually illegal to transport livestock without proper permits...Chickens fall under livestock....Disease is easily transferred .....Proper testing will need to be done...


Cheers!

 

[psychochickn]

We have secured the permits for interstate transport already. Good thought though. Anyone else?

 

[aart]

How will they be housed at your vacation place?
How many birds are we talking about here?

Yes, they will be stressed by the travel and new place of residence....both going and coming back.
If birds are of laying age you may not get any eggs for days or weeks surrounding the travel, especially this time of year when chickens of age may be molting or getting ready to molt.

Yes, they will be exposed to new organisms at the vacation place, both from wild birds and in the soil.

It's impossible to say how they will react and how the stress and environment changes will manifest.
It could be great, or it could be a disaster.

Yes, it is hard to find people to chicken sit, you need someone who knows chickens so they can spot problems before they get crucial and know how to take care of any issue that arises. That's why most people who raise livestock don't go on vacation without a qualified 'farm sitter' to hire.