Chickens in a trailer

[SmartyChick]

Hi everyone,
This weekend we are moving to NY from MA. We have to be out of our old house by Sunday and can't move into our new place til Monday. So our bright idea was to transport the chickens in a trailer (5 by 8). We have three large dog crates and 11 chickens. We are going to put the chickens in the cages and the cages in the trailer Sunday morning. Then we are taking the 5+ hour trip to our new house. We will stop along the way and open the trailer so the chickens can get air. We will spend the night at a hotel and the chickens will have to go several hours without extra air. Will we wake up to dead chickens? We are in a tight spot and since chickens can't stay in hotel (or any I've heard of) this seems like our only option. So, is this safe?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

How tight is the trailer? As a temporary thing it may not be that bad if it's not really air tight. I'd set my alarm to go out every 3 hours at least to open it up and give them some air. I'd really be afraid to let them go longer if it's very tight at all.

 

[wildorchid053]

where in ny are you moving to? i am near syracuse you could put the cages in my lower level.. it is a day light basement.

 

[Ariel301]

Maybe you could sneak them into your hotel room after dark? Cover the crates with blankets and take them in. This would work if the door to your room opens to outside, but if you've got to go through the front entryway and down hallways and up elevators, it wouldn't work as well, obviously.

The trailer is unlikely to be 100% airtight. I would think they should be ok if you give them air right before bed and again first thing in the morning. I've traveled a several hour drive with a parrot in a cardboard box taped shut and he made it just fine.

 

[Teach97]

I think you will be okay...heat stress would be my worry...but it is winter so no worry.

 

[Mahonri]

I'll bet they'll be fine.

 

[Firemenlovechicks]

One more thought..... Is this a fairly NEW trailer? If so, they use formaldehyde in the manufacturing process. These fumes can build up very quickly and can be fatal to anything alive inside the trailer. If you've had the trailer for a while, it has probably aired out enough and won't be a problem. Good luck with your move.......

 

[wildorchid053]

i am also thinking if you have to open it up for air it must be dark in there.. they don't usually eat or drink if dark... the offer is still open for my downstairs if you are in the area.. just let me know.

 

[SmartyChick]

Thanks so much, but we are not near there. that was a very generous offer though! It is just a rented U-Haul,, and I think they will be fine. just for one night. They will thank us later when they see their new 5 acre home.

 

[embkm]

If it were me, I would lay down plastic trash bags on the seats in the cab of the UHaul, move their crates there for the night, and leave the windows cracked open about half an inch for air flow.