Help! Wildfire ten miles away!

[FiveHens]

I would take them all with you. You won't worry that way. What if you kept one roo in the cat carrier and the other in a cardboard box? The last thing you need is them fighting as you evacuate. You might want to feed them lots before you go (if you have to) and put some food in there with them, but only offer them water at intervals...you don't want water spilling everywhere in the dog kennel.

 

[forestrymom]

I was a wildland firefighter on a Type 1 (smokejumpers/hotshots and the like) for 10 years. You have NO idea how hot that fire will be if it comes your way, and it could (or might not be too) be so hot that you AND your chickens won't survive, even if YOUR area is cleared of fuels. If the fire has 300 foot flamelengths and your property is in its path as it moves past, it will be too hot for you to "weather the [fire]storm". You might get away with it in a basement, but I wouldn't put my animals or myself at risk of that, and its unfair to put the firefighters at risk should they find out you're in there and attempt to rescue you. Please, please, please leave if you are asked to do so, and take your chickens with you, if at all possible.

Do you have a truck with a topper, by any chance? We transported our chickens in a pretty small kennel, when we bought them. They weren't happy about it, but they came out okay. Good luck, and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I've seen my fair share of pet deaths and burned up homes, and I hate the thought of it happening, ever.

 

[FiveAcres]

I like the above ideas about the produce boxes too that can help with space issues if it becomes a prolonged move.... I just pray for you and your pets that it does not come to that and you are able to make it through without having to leave.... Keep us posted.

 

[ellieroo]

azygous, have been thru that twice.1st time a fire blew up so fast there was only hours warning My car had cats dogs parrot and two kennels full of chickens. I had trained my guys to kennel just like a dog for meal worm treats it was the only time they got them.Like a fire drill for kids. It worked. I was carrying the last one as the sherrif was going by blaring get out now!! That fire burned 200,000 acres we have pics of Huge flames SOOOO close. But Thank God for the firefighters they made a stand and saved the houses!! My husband transported 17 horses that night busy busy busy.

The 2nd fire came so fast over the hill no time for anything! I turned the chickens loose and the horses dogs cats and I stood in the middle of our green pasture with sprinklers on, The bottom line is as the firefighter on here just said Its the Speed that the fire travels that no one is prepared for ..I hope it stays far away Good Luck Get ready NOW !!!!

 

[Taylorhens]

Heed the fire advisories and GET OUT if you're told to! TAKE YOUR CHICKENS. Go get those veggie boxes now and have them ready. Start calling now to the next county -- try animal control, ag extension office, query breeders here, friends, family, etc. Evac shelters will not let you bring the chickens in, but you can find somewhere if you start looking now. Other options are horse barns (stalls make great temporary digs for chickens) -- call boarding stables in the next county and ask if you can rent a stall short term for chickens if you provide the feed and care. There are many people willing to help in a disaster...you just have to keep calling until you find them.

Oh, just thought of another option. When we travel with horses, we sometimes lay over for the night at county fairgrounds. It's usually free. You just have to call ahead and sometimes it takes several calls to find out who has authority over the property and who has keys and can meet you. Identify two or three counties you can drive to and start calling the county seats to find out who can give you permission now!

 

[Wise Woman]

Hi. We live in the mountains in so Cal and fire is always a real danger for us. We have 3 dog crates and put our chickens in those when they need moved. Shelters won't take animals, but usually someone in the area opens up their ranch for evacuated animals. I also have a friend about an hour and a half away with 5 acres that would let me put my animals there during a fire emergency. I figure chickens in a crate are better than chickens in a fire. Don't try to shelter in place. We had 5 firefighters killed in our area a few years back when a wall of fire swept over them unexpectedly. They were so burnt it was a blessing they passed away quickly. I would only advise sheltering in place if the fire fighters are telling you to do so. Otherwise, grab your animals and get the heck out! I know it is hard and the last time we had to evacuate I had chest pains the whole time and thought I was going to end up in the hospital, but nothing is worth losing your life over or getting badly burnt. Good luck to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[zazouse]

Rent a U-Haul and buy a bunch of shavings

I am praying for you all, we are having lots of wild fires breaking out here in southeast texas just about everyday.

I have been finding burn grasses all over my place that has blown in from some of the fires in the swamps 20 miles from here
very scarey.

 

[ellieroo]

Quote:
BOY thats the truth. We kept calling the answering machine all night !!

 

[azygous]

I am so grateful for all the replies and great tips. I would never have thought of the veggie and fruit boxes or the idea of mixing feed with water for the trip to avoid water spillage. Renting a U-Haul is also a great idea! Also, how to distribute the hens and roosters in the evacuation containers was very helpful.

Also, you have made it more obvious to me that I need to evacuate and take the chickens. Having made these decisions ahead of time will make it so much easier to do what needs to be done if I have to evacuate.

At this point, fire slurry has been laid down on a larger fuel break between the fire and where I live. The fire, while not contained at this point, is greatly reduced due to burned fuel on my end. The fire front is now miles to the east. It appears that the immediate danger has passed for now.

You've all made it so much easier for me to come up with a solid evacuation plan. Thanks so much for all of your input! I hope this thread will also serve others in my position in the future.

 

[Taylorhens]

I'm glad things are looking up for you, azygous!

Now I'm afraid I must go into mother hen mode (pun intended) for everyone else. I am a disaster responder (although fires are not my specialty -- I work more hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.). I have seen firsthand the tragedy of NOT having a disaster plan. A disaster plan includes evacuation plans for you and your pets (for events for which there is some warning) as well as a response plan for "no-notice" events such as a tornado.

What that means is...if it is an event for which you have some warning, have some plan ready for you, your family, your pets. Where will you go? How will you transport? How will you take care of animals until you can return home?

IMPORTANT: How will you meet/contact family if you are separated. For example, everyone will call Aunty Janie two states away with location as soon as free of disaster area with location and contact information. This makes it easier to find your loved ones if a disaster strikes when you are not all together.

I know that people with 100 cows or 80 chickens may not be able to evacuate their animals. Please take what you can. I can tell you that it weighs heavily on the hearts of disaster responders when we enter a scene to find sick/dead/dying animals WHO WE CANNOT HELP BECAUSE WE ARE CONSUMED SAVING HUMAN LIVES. If you can't take them all, at least take the house pets and stock animals you can, such as your main breedstock.

If you left animals behind, provide for them the best you can by leaving food water and MARKING IN LARGE LETTERING ON YOUR HOUSE / BARN / COOP THAT THERE ARE ANIMALS INSIDE, and then immediately start calling animal rescue organizations. They are often allowed back in a disaster area before residents can return. Call ASPCA, organization. Each state will have a "director" under the Humane Society of the United States (organization). Find out who that person is in advance and make contact info part of your pan. Also know your local animal control and ag extension office phone number.

Both ASPCA and organization and multiple other agencies have disaster plan kits available for free on their websites with lots of good info and tips. Take advantage of this. Just start googling and you'll find lots of good stuff that will save you a lot of heartache later.