Driving with Chicks

[anodyne]

I finally got some chicks for myself, but the nearest place with them is nearly an hour drive! They're only a few days old, so I'm worried about how they'll do on the trip. I was going to transport them in a shoebox in my lap with some towels and rags in it, but should I get a heating pad too? Any other tips?

 

[Pele]

Hrm, how many chicks are you getting? If you are getting 10 or more, their own body-heat will suffice. If it's less than that, you may want to get a low-power heating pad.

An hour isn't long enough to worry about food and water, just heat. And it's summer, so just make sure your air-conditioning vents arn't blowing on their box and making drafts.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The hatcheries mail them with little to no issues. I'd not be concerned. Many folks transport home their chicks from TSC and feed stores and live an hour away, I know we do.
This is summer time, even in the PNW, the temps must be in the 60's, 70's??? I'd not be the least bit concerned. They'll do a lot of peeping, but some of that is mere drama. They'll be just fine. I'd not worry about a heat pad at all. They just aren't all that fragile.

 

[anodyne]

I'm only getting 5 chicks, but it is pretty warm, it being summertime and all. I'll try not to panic so much, these are my first chickens ever and I'm just so worried!

 

[Going Quackers]

Nearly an hour? that is a short trip! LOL mine came 3 hours in a box.. only 4 of them, they did fine.

 

[anodyne]

Nearly an hour? that is a short trip! LOL mine came 3 hours in a box.. only 4 of them, they did fine.

They must be tougher than they look, I feel a little silly being so flustered now.

 

[Going Quackers]

They must be tougher than they look, I feel a little silly being so flustered now.

Nah, it's understandable to be worried.. they do look so delicate.

 

[gardendufus]

I also transported my chicks for more than an hour from the feed store to home. In Colorado in March. They did just fine in a cardboard box on the passenger seat. Just wondering if the shoebox sides will be high enough to stop possible escapes. I know they are young and probably not jumping much yet, but the last thing you want is to be worrying about an escaped chick while you are driving. As a natural worry wart about distractions while driving, I would also not recommend the box on the lap while driving scenario. They will do fine in a box off to the side. Just be sure if you run A/C it doesn't blow on them.