Best way to transport chickens?

[TonyaS]

Hi everyone! I have several chickens that are 26 weeks old. We got them when they were 2 days old so they've only been around myself and my family. We are giving two of the chickens to my in laws who live about 2 hours north of us. What is the best way to travel with the two chickens? My husband suggested using two of our cat carriers in the back of our truck. Also, are there any tips or anything extra they might need once they get there to help them recover from the long trip? I know they might stop laying eggs for a little bit while they get adjusted to their new home but I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic on them if we transport them correctly. Thanks to anyone who gives me some advice. I've created quite a relationship with "my chicky babies" over the last 26 weeks and want to make sure I take good care of them throughout this transition. My in laws are so happy to be getting chickens from someone they know has taken great care of them.

 

[Altfrizzle]

Cat carriers or even cardboard boxes if they have air holes.

Do you mean the back of a pickup? Or enclosed?

 

[TonyaS]

Cat carriers or even cardboard boxes if they have air holes.

Do you mean the back of a pickup? Or enclosed?

The back of the pickup, it is not enclosed.

 

[chickencheeper]

They

The back of the pickup, it is not enclosed.

might freak out with all the wind, it would be better to have them inside.

 

[TonyaS]

They

might freak out with all the wind, it would be better to have them inside.

That's what I was wondering, if it would be too windy for them even though we would be using those hard plastic cat carriers that isn't open all the way around. My husband also suggested wrapping a towel around the carriers to cut down on the wind.

 

[chickencheeper]

That's what I was wondering, if it would be too windy for them even though we would be using those hard plastic cat carriers that isn't open all the way around. My husband also suggested wrapping a towel around the carriers to cut down on the wind.

They might still be scared with all the sound

 

[JeanR]

Cover them to keep them dark and they will not be so stressed, and cover and carrier/box solidly held down in back of pickup. Wind is known to "pick" up things and evict them, without your noticing! 2 hours is not a long trip (I ship birds country wide, Express Priority, and they are delivered by afternoon of 2nd day), approved boxes dark and the birds just sleep a longer "night"--but cockerels will CROW in the light of PO transfers along the way! Postal workers chuckle! no SHIPPING in hot weather months or cold weeks of winter.

 

[micstrachan]

The farthest I have transported a chicken was a 40 minute drive to the vet. She was in a small dog carrier right beside me, but still got pretty stressed… open mouth breathing, etc. I think being in the back of a pick-up woukd be very stressful. Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

[azygous]

Make sure you line the bottoms of the carriers with thick bath towels or something similar. You want a non-skid surface so the movement of the vehicle doesn't cause the chickens to lose their footing. You want an absorbent material because the chickens will be pooping, perhaps quite a lot.

One of my first chickens was brought to me in the same fashion you will be delivering your chickens. My little hen was stuffed into a pet carrier with no absorbent padding. During the trip, she slipped and slid around the cage, and she arrived a nervous wreck, covered in poop.

Luckily, she was a good little sport, recovering quickly, and within an hour of arriving, laid an egg.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hi everyone! I have several chickens that are 26 weeks old. We got them when they were 2 days old so they've only been around myself and my family. We are giving two of the chickens to my in laws who live about 2 hours north of us. What is the best way to travel with the two chickens? My husband suggested using two of our cat carriers in the back of our truck. Also, are there any tips or anything extra they might need once they get there to help them recover from the long trip? I know they might stop laying eggs for a little bit while they get adjusted to their new home but I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic on them if we transport them correctly. Thanks to anyone who gives me some advice. I've created quite a relationship with "my chicky babies" over the last 26 weeks and want to make sure I take good care of them throughout this transition. My in laws are so happy to be getting chickens from someone they know has taken great care of them.

They should be fine if he wraps them make sure there air for them maybe an old blanket or material you would not mind a few air wholes being where you are temp will not be too tough as long as they can breath