Chicken and Fires. What to do?

[EChicky]

Hi. We live in California near the Eaton fire. We have yet to be evacuated but are prepared to leave at a moments notice. There is so much smoke and ash in the air, so much so that it is falling down like snow. We have a small flock of 3 birds and the air quality is around 200 where we live. I’m wondering what to do with our flock. Will they be affected by the smoke and ash that’s influencing the air quality?
Here’s a picture of the sky near us.

 

[GodLovesU]

Would bringing them inside in a dog crate or tub be an option? Then if you need to be evacuated at a moment’s notice you could be ready.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello! I'm very sorry about your situation. That must be scary, wildfires are no joke.
Yes, I believe they shouldn't be breathing in that stuff because it can cause respiratory irritations/problems. If it is difficult for you to breathe normally outside, then it probably is for your chickens as well. Since you have 3 chickens, when you evacuate, is it an option for you to take them with you? If so, I would considering doing that if possible. Or, you could bring them inside in maybe 2 large dog crates or a fenced off area with puppy pads on the floor, if you can breathe any better in there

edited to say:
you can join 2 large dog crates together by pushing the opened doors together if that makes sense.

 

[EChicky]

Hello! I'm very sorry about your situation. That must be scary, wildfires are no joke.
Yes, I believe they shouldn't be breathing in that stuff because it can cause respiratory irritations/problems. If it is difficult for you to breathe normally outside, then it probably is for your chickens as well. Since you have 3 chickens, when you evacuate, is it an option for you to take them with you? If so, I would considering doing that if possible. Or, you could bring them inside in maybe 2 large dog crates or a fenced off area with puppy pads on the floor, if you can breathe any better in there

edited to say:
you can join 2 large dog crates together by pushing the opened doors together if that makes sense.

We are definitely taking them with us if we have to leave. We have a small spare bathroom that we could probably bring them into. They were outside yesterday in that air. Is there anything we can do that would reverse some respiratory damage that might have already been done? Would two large dog crates be enough space for 3 chickens?

 

[GodLovesU]

Would two large dog crates be enough space for 3 chickens?

For the situation, I think so.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

you can get puppy pads from Dollar tree for XXL ones, and TJ Maxx also sells giant packages of them. Mostly every other grocery store sells them too
God bless you and your family and your pets

 

[EChicky]

View attachment 4023976
you can get puppy pads from Dollar tree for XXL ones, and TJ Maxx also sells giant packages of them. Mostly every other grocery store sells them too
God bless you and your family and your pets

Thank you so much! We really hope that this will all be over soon.

 

[DonyaQuick]

Would two large dog crates be enough space for 3 chickens?

I had to put 7 or 8 chickens (including 2 brother roos) in my great pyrenes's wire crate once in an emergency. It was pretty packed but I partially covered it and they stayed calm. As long as the birds in question get along quite well, small spaces work. Just clean up after them regularly and make sure they have readily available food/water in a way they can't spill. I used bolt-on food/water bowls so nothing was tippable. When I've had indoor birds I just used large flake shavings for bedding for them and dealt with the resulting mess later.

Is there anything we can do that would reverse some respiratory damage that might have already been done?

Getting them into clean air and offering clean food/water (so they aren't ingesting soot that way too) is about all you can do.

One caution regarding puppy pads: I've never used them so I don't know if this is just a risk for one type of them, but I know a couple people whose dogs ate portions of puppy pads and had serious vet visits as a result (which is why I've never wanted to use them). I don't know if chickens would be able to do that but wanted to put it out there that those things aren't 100% safe with some animals.

 

[Slothinc]

Prayers for you and everyone else dealing with these fires. I can’t even imagine I hope you and your chickens stay safe during this difficult time!

 

[discerning]

I’m so sorry about your situation I am further south in San Diego and keep chickens and peafowl. I would have to open the pens the birds are in and let them loose if I had to evacuate there are too many to bring with.