Chicken transport help needed

[earthnut]

I am picking up 2 hens on Saturday! My first chickens!

I need to know what would be best for transport. I was originally thinking of using an old bird cage that's a 14" cube. But I'm not sure it's big enough for two 1 year old Easter Eggers without them pecking each other's eyes out. I also have a 24"x18"x12" tupperware bin and a 3'x2'x2' cage.

I was also going to bring a food dish and a waterer and mealworms for a treat. (it's a bit of a drive; they may even spend the night in the cage)

What would you suggest? Thanks!

 

[BeckyLa]

It's kinda hard to say since you haven't said how long the trip will be or your mode of transport. For instance, if you're putting them in the back of a pickup and will be driving for hours and the weather will be hot and dry and sunny, well then I'd go with the 3x2x2' cage so they will get plenty of air to help keep them cool. If your putting them in the backseat of your air conditioned car and will be driving for a few hours, but not all day, then I'd go with a cardboard box with ventilation holes cut in the sides so they will be mostly in the dark which will keep them calm. Although you don't want them to be too cramped, like in a small box, you don't need a real big box either or they'll slide around. Also, they will take comfort in each other's company and probably won't peck too much. Some, yes, but not alot. If you have the room and you will be spending the night somewhere, then bring the cage along to put them in at night. I'd also feed and water them when you stop.

 

[Napalongtail]

A large card board box with holes punched in the sides is just fine for a tempoary transport unit. The birds are actually calmer and safer when kept in the dark providing they have adequate ventalation.

 

[earthnut]

We have a small hatchback car. They will be in the back. It's not air conditioned but the weather is cool and cloudy. We'll be spending a day and a night with them in the car. Depending on the weather, if we camp, they'll stay in the car. If we stay in the hostel, they might come in our room. That depends on how crowded the hostel is.

I'll bring a sheet to cover the cage with. That's a good idea. We used to use that with our parakeets. I forgot about that trick.

 

[Lunachick]

Good luck with your chicken transport! Hope it works out. where's Cascadia?

 

[nccatnip]

You might want to consider using dog airline crates. You can cover them up, the handles make carring easier, can stack and easy to hose out when you are done. They are quite inexpensive or if you ask around, someone may let you borrow two.

 

[earthnut]

Cascadia is the area around the Cascade and Coast mountains. Specifically, I'm in western Washington.

 

[rooster-red]

When I transported the hens I bought from speckledhen I used a wire cage placed in the back of my Geo Metro hatchback (no A/C).

The trip back was 2 hours, the hens had room to move around and the cage has a small hardware cloth bottom with a tray that slides underneath that I line with newspaper. Easy to clean and they don't slide at all. the hens never got upset.

I know your trip will take longer, but I think the wire cage is fine for the job.

Here is a pic taken while driving home.