Emergency Evacuation Preparation

[SunnyAlberta]

We are on evacuation alert due to grass fires burning wild all around us. Any tips on what to take for our three pet hens? I'm not sure where we would go except maybe an evacuation centre at a community hall in the city. The chickens may have to stay in a dog crate in our vehicle.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Food, water, crate full of straw and...? Bags to toss soil into? That should do?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yup. They're tough. They'll be fine. Hopefully you have destination in mind? Best wishes to you and yours.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

We had to evacuate for 10 days this summer due to a wildfire with 43 chickens (plus 2 dogs a cat and three teen-aged kids). We ended up being evacuated twice, once from our home and the next day from the first place we evacuated to when the fire spread. You might think of grabbing some plastic poultry netting and some stakes, in-case you are able to set up some sort of temporary run outside where you can let your hens out of the crate for an hour or so (with supervision since it won't be predator proof). I also found that my hens were distressed about not having their regular nest boxes available, so some thought in advance on what to bring along for them to feel comfortable laying would be a suggestion. We ended up using the cat's carrying box with the door removed. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

We had to evacuate for 10 days this summer due to a wildfire with 43 chickens (plus 2 dogs a cat and three teen-aged kids). ...You might think of grabbing some plastic poultry netting and some stakes, in-case you are able to set up some sort of temporary run...

Hummingbird, you beat me by 40 chickens. We did not have to evacuate, but we were ready last night. The fires still burn closeby. I will add our netting and poles -- got 'em already! -- to the evac pile and future list. Thank you. I hope you survived the ordeal.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

We all survived the evacuation, although I lost something like 7 lbs during the 10 days we were evacuated and had nightmares on and off for about two weeks after we got back.

I was posting on this forum about my mobile chicken coop that I was building and continued posting on this thread during the evacuation if you want more details and information: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675624/mini-van-coop-fire-evacuation-mobile-predator-break-in

I hope the fire stays away from you and your chickens, but being prepared has "upside".

 

[mommiextwo]

I have 9 hens and want to get an evacuation plan in mind before I ever need to use it. I also have 2 rabbits that live with them in their large run/coop and want to get carriers lined up for them, too, if we ever need to leave. What did you folks find worked best to transport your hens in? I was thinking of a couple of large dog carriers. Did you just line it with straw and hang a water bottle/feeder, etc? I'm searching craigslist for a carrier or 2 a month til I get all of them in place. I'd love to hear your suggestions and what worked well for you and what maybe didn't. Thanks!
I also have 4 sugar gliders, 2 kittens, a dog and a tortoise, lol. I've just about got all their evac. plans in place, too. Hopefully we could cross state lines without any hassles about chickens, or gliders.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I have 9 hens and want to get an evacuation plan in mind before I ever need to use it. I also have 2 rabbits that live with them in their large run/coop and want to get carriers lined up for them, too, if we ever need to leave. What did you folks find worked best to transport your hens in? I was thinking of a couple of large dog carriers. Did you just line it with straw and hang a water bottle/feeder, etc? I'm searching craigslist for a carrier or 2 a month til I get all of them in place. I'd love to hear your suggestions and what worked well for you and what maybe didn't. Thanks!
I also have 4 sugar gliders, 2 kittens, a dog and a tortoise, lol. I've just about got all their evac. plans in place, too. Hopefully we could cross state lines without any hassles about chickens, or gliders.

Our eight mature layers were evacuated in a large wire dog crate in the back of our mini-van:


Yes there are eight in there. The 35 juvenile Freedom Rangers were evacuated in our ancient mini-van that I had just finished converting to a mobile chicken coop:


We removed the food and water when we were on the road, stopping after about 90 minutes of driving for a feed and water break for both humans and chickens (food and water were also offered to the cat, but she refused). I didn't want spilled food or water all over the back and thought removing it while driving was a better idea. A hanging water bottle may have worked OK in the dog crate but we didn't have one.

Consider adding some electrolyte mix to your emergency evacuation stash. The travel, along with the heat was stressful for the birds and I felt better offering them some electrolytes and vitamins in their water for the next few days.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Our eight mature layers were evacuated in a large wire dog crate in the back of our mini-van:

We did not have to evacuate but we had a large, solid-sided dog crate ready to go, with a small cat crate inside of it to use as a nest. Wire crates work, but would be a lot messier inside a vehicle, hotel room, tent, or whatever.

Hmmm... I wonder what "pet friendly" hotels would say about a crate full of chickens.

From my experience traveling to cat shows, as long as you leave the room as clean as you found it -- or cleaner, I'd always clean and disinfect the bathroom where they stayed -- you'll always be welcomed back.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Great tip!