Moving long distance with livestock

[Canuck88]

I wasn't sure where to put this thread so forgive me if it's in the wrong place.

We are looking at moving next year (fingers crossed). Without stopping the drive is about 18 hours. We obviously need to stop for gas, food and bathroom breaks.

We are downsizing our animals but still want to bring some of them with us. My horse will come separately as I'm hoping the timing works out and she will be at a trainers while we move, and I can just pay a hauler to bring her out once we are settled.

We would like to make the drive with our heifer calf (jersey x hereford, currently 7 1/2 months), two (possibly three) Nigerian Dwarf goats and 8-10 chickens. I currently have almost 30 chickens, I'm trying really hard to decide who to re-home and who to keep. I know it would probably be easier to move without the chickens but I really love my flock and would like to bring them with me if at all possible.

Any tips on moving them all? Any chance it's possible to bring them all in one trip (two horse trailer). I am thinking that we will take turns driving/sleeping and drive straight through so that we don't have to unload/reload the cow and goats.

 

[chickens really]

That's a long trip. You will need to stop a bit to make sure everyone is fed and watered. Possibly the Heifer would do better traveling with the Horse? Taking the goats out on breaks also..

 

[Skippersnh]

chickens get pretty messy on long hauls ive done it a few times

 

[Canuck88]

That's a long trip. You will need to stop a bit to make sure everyone is fed and watered. Possibly the Heifer would do better traveling with the Horse? Taking the goats out on breaks also..

I know.. it's a really long trip sigh. I'm still hopeful we can make it work.

 

[chickens really]

chickens get pretty messy on long hauls ive done it a few times

Yes the more I think about it ? Downsizing and replacing animals would be easier....

 

[chickens really]

I know.. it's a really long trip sigh. I'm still hopeful we can make it work.

Hopefully...
You would need to find a legal site to clean out poop too as you travel.

 

[Canuck88]

Yes the more I think about it ? Downsizing and replacing animals would be easier....

 

[chickens really]

I know.........

 

[Canuck88]

I know.........

If we just took the 2 goats and a couple chickens, do you think that would that be any better?

Edit - We could probably stop overnight in Calgary at a friend's place to break up the driving but wouldn't really have anywhere to let the animals "out"

 

[chickens really]

If we just took the 2 goats and a couple chickens, do you think that would that be any better?

Edit - We could probably stop overnight in Calgary at a friend's place to break up the driving but wouldn't really have anywhere to let the animals "out"

Yes..Down sizing is good. Goats actually can be good traveling companions like a dog they will pee generally outside and lay down once on the road. Definitely something for you too consider.