Do Chickens Get Car-Sick???

[cleoandtheo]

We are planning to take our chickens with us on vacation, but it's going to require a two-hour drive. I'm planning to transport them in the brooder. It will be a little bit of a tight fit (in the brooder) while in the car, and I've never tried to move them before. We are also going to change altitude from about sea level to about 7,000 feet. Is there anything I should worry about? What should I do to help manage their stress?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
THey can handle altitude change and the motion. I had rooster that made multiple 5 hour road trips to and from college while sitting on back rest of passenger seat with no ill effects. Also took game roosters on longer trips in boxes. What I would watch for is carbon monoxide (CO) (versus carbon dioxide (CO2)). Keep birds in cabin of vehicle, not trunk to ensure good air. Exposure to excess CO makes birds lethargic.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Just did a 600 mile road trip with a Silkie cockerel and 300 miles of that with five OEG bantams. No problems but one. If they are sharing the same air space with you there is going to be some smell. For just two hours maybe not much, but it depends on how many birds you have. We solved that by opening all the windows anytime we stopped for gas or periods when we'd be moving slowly. It flushed the air out so that it never became very noticeable.

For a long trip you'd want to be concerned with their getting enough water. We worked that out by hanging eight ounce yogurt cups from the carrier doors with a couple of pieces of wire then only filling them half full so it could not slosh out.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

They LOVE roadtrips, especially if you let them drive!

 

[Pinky]

My chickens never got car sick.

 

[allmypeeps]

Whenever I have taken any birds in the car they have panted and ''yawned'' alot either that it is a gasp?....what is that about?

 

[centrarchid]

Panting likely do to bird over heating. That has been a frequent problem for me. Increasing ventilaton helps. As for the yawning, that is do possibly to anticipated activity. Mine yawn also prior to getting up from mid-day nap and prior to flying from roost. Another possibility is that stale air led to carbon dioxide (CO2) buildup in blood promoting yawning activity which is part of increasing lung function needed to void the CO2.

 

[Cass]

I have to ask....*why* are you planning to take your chickens on vacation with you?

I sincerely hope chickens don't get car sick....mine are a 2 hour drive from me...hatching soon...and will travel by car to my house.

 

[BitsyB]

Quote:
Yes, inquiring minds want to know!

Hmm, not a bad idea to take them along- then I wouldn't worry about them. Not sure my husband would go along with this idea though...

 

[PepsNick]

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I was wondering too.

I have transported chickens to many places many times and they are fine.

I probably won't transport them much anymore- I am now practicing good biosecurity very strictly.

Where are you going on vacation? Remember that you are exposing your chickens to a lot, some of which you may not want to. Exotic newcastle disease is spreading in southern CA, I hear.