So I get this bug that I want chickens. I pour over web sites night and day, I'm reading all I can and start building a Coop nothing huge just hoping to have 4 layers for the family. I spend many more days pouring over web sites about breeds then feeders then waters and every thing I can think of...but... I don't know how to get them home I'm looking to get pullets I'm not quite ready to try baby chicks out. but how does one bring a chicken home? I feel dumb asking but I haven't been able to find a relevant thread. I have a friend with a medium sized dog carrier would that work? How many might I fit in something like that? Anywhere I'd be picking up birds would probably not be more then 30 minutes away. I have a pickup truck to move them...please enlighten this poor newb thanks!
Quote:in a dog carrier is fine or a cardboard box. just make sure it is secure and out of the wind. (the wind while driving can give them quite a chill, even on a warm day.) how many will fit depends on the chicken size and box size. take extras with you and you should be good to go. and...
i suppose you want them in the bak of the truck, make sure the dog carrier gets very little wind running through it, why not try chicks? how old are your children, or do you have kids? i know a person comes to this site and reads about all these problem, and about how to deal with possums and what not, why there chrickens crap a certain way, but do let all that foolishness ruin your confidence about raising chicks, they come with instructions, there not as hard as real kids, ( or mine anyway)
When I bought my girls the breeder put them in a cardboard box and I placed them on the back seat of my car. They go very quiet when the car is in motion. they were fine. I also brought home my son's rescue hens in the same way. I have 4 too, and my sister had 10 all packed into a large box and they were also fine. Good luck, Jena.
Quote:Dog carrier might a little windy then. With a card board box do you cut some air holes? How big a box? would it be one bird snug per box? Or would multiple birds be ok in a big enough box? I have 2 year old so the child aspect could be hard but truthfully I live in a smallish place and do not really have the inside space to keep even a small box warm I could probably rig something up out in the coop but that just seems like a hassle at this point I'd rather get birds almost ready to lay. I also just feel a little better about skipping the part where I might find a cute dead chick in the waterbowl on my first run.
i can respect not wantin chicks. i think youd be alright with more then 1 bird per box the more the warmer theyd be i wouldnt put big holes in the box, if you had more the 1 chicken in a box i would probably tape the box up ( wouldnt want them to blow out on the expressway seen that more the once not just with chickens) my boys are 2 and 3 and my little girl who screams bout chicks is 4, but momma stays at home with the kids oh yea, dont feel dumb cause ya asked a ? iffen ya hadnt asked and you you lost all your $10.00 a piece layen hen for ya got home to feed em to the dogs then youd feel dumb
Mcmurrays has a sale going on for red started pullets, they ship to you therefor you don't have to worry about transporting them, I am sure they are more expensive than what you find locally tho. http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/weeklyspecial.html
Liquor boxes are great for one or two in each. Thats the only way I have ever moved chickens. Couple of air holes on top or sides are fine but I would transport inside the cab if possible. (Less work too when you get them home...they will poop on the way home!)
If you order started pullets from McMurray or Meyer, they'll arrive at a post office near you in a lovely cardboard box. If you buy your pullets from someone who isn't a large hatchery, you'll probably have to take some kind of animal kennel or cardboard box with lid. It's really pretty easy to get your feet wet with started pullets.
