hens and hurricanes

[Hollywood Chickens]

depending on which way the wind is coming from we have different plans which are
boxes on the enclosed porch, in the converted garage or in the bath tubs
if we had to evacuate I think that we would just carry them but I live in South FL and My family has never had to evacuate even though it came close a few times

 

[verlaj]

I had 5 hens during 2004 when we got hit 3 times. They could have taken shelter in the big enclosed laying box, but NO, they stayed out in the uncovered part of the coop throughout! Poor things. It's a wonder they didn't get sick, but they didn't.

I won't let that happen again. I have a lot more chickens now and a much larger covered area, but I'm sure the roof won't stay on in a hurricane plus the sides are entirely open. I will probably move them into one or more enclosed structures - my tack room, our small barn, my husband's shop, even our den. I have portable pens that I can set up, put plastic sheeting underneath, and a mesh cover on to keep them in.

We won't have to evacuate, though, because we are too far from the coast for that. My mom, in New Orleans, was thinking about getting a few laying hens, but the thought of evacuating with chickens in tow deterred her. They evacuate about once a year.

A very fine gentleman I knew that lived near the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Katrina had raised a nice flock of quail and game birds that he loved. He evacuated before the storm hit, and the entire neighborhood went under several feet of water - an area that had never flooded before. All of his birds were drowned. It was more devastating to him than the loss of his home of many years.

 

[chickenlittle32]

I'm worried as well. I know my coop is not up to par and we have guineas, ducks, geese, chickens, and 2 goats. Plus 2 boxers.

 

[DoulaHallie]

Im about 15 min from the gulf and live in Pinellas. Ive not had to evacuate since I was a kid, and have chooses to live in non or last to evac zones. But, like Charlie taught us, you just never know, the bay area was bracing for what looked like would have been a strong Cat 4 or 5 by the time it got to us, and it was projected to, then it hung a last min right to Port Charlotte and we didn't even get a drop of rain. It just hard to know what these storms will do!

Our plan, as of now. We will only have 3 possible 4 hens during this season. I think I will have to find boxes for them for travel if they have to go with us for a bad one, since the dogs will also have to go in the back of my SUV. Then bring two broken down crates also.

Our coop isn't huge, so I think we could pull it up and lay it on its side. The fencing also should be easy to unbracket and lay flat or bring in. Then minimal hassle to put back together. Depending on the storm we may do this for a smaller storm. All the storms in 04 were only Cat 1s when they came through our area, but still did some damage. I wouldn't want the girls getting hurt.

 

[ecopepper]

Quote:
Great idea ranchhand!!! I threw all my stuff in the pool if I could but don't think the chickens would like that!! I will use the bucket idea for our small 2 hen coop though because it's so heavy and bring mine inside.

 

[ranchhand]

I was wandering around just a few ago and realized we have lots of 30 gallon + trash cans, too. Those will work as well, perhaps add a tsp. of bleach to the water, tie down the lid and then tie to each other across the coop roof.

My biggest worry is a coop that started as a plastic Rubbermaid shed- it will blow right apart. I may try the water bucket method on it, but no way I am leaving the chickens in it.

 

[tulie13]

We built our coop up to hurricane code - just kidding. But it's close!

The verticals are 4 x 4's buried over a foot in the ground, with 2 x 4 framing. Lots of nails. Walls made of heavy duty OSB.

Heavy duty OSB roof with tar paper and roll roofing on it, nails and adhesive holding it together.

Unless we are in line for a direct hit by a Cat 4 or 5, I'm going to batten down their hatches and leave them in the coop. With an indirect hit or even a bad storm, we still have the chance of a tornado hitting us - not much we can do about that!

 

[Brindlebtch]

I have a thick tarp I can double over and an Xpen, and in case of evacuation we have kennels. My hubby says he won't evacuate, though.

 

[threehorses]

I kept mine in kennels in my laundry room. Our (at the time) one turkey and our peacock roosted on my dryer that night. Boy was that fun to clean up the next day - I don't know HOW PickseyTurkey got up there.

The geese and ducks we can't do much about because they don't roost so we can't catch them up. But they fared well the last two hurricanes we got, including our category 3-4 Ike.

WE're watching them, too, here in Houston. I really would like to move into Texas a little more and get rid of hurricanes. But I so love my place.

By the way, buy 2 weeks worth of feed minimum to have on hand in case you lose electricity. You know many feedstores will be closed or blown down in really bad hurricanes, or lose electricity (or the feed ruined) so it's always good to be prepared.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

We have been through several hurricanes here with our critters. I have a a bunch of small cages. I call them "hurricane cages". I always make sure that I have enough for all the chickens, rabbits, etc. I have a 8X10 wooden garden shed with a concrete floor. I fit all the cages that I can in the shed and the last few come in the garage. The tortoise is a challenge though. When she was smaller, I had a big rubbermaid tote to put her in, but now that she is 55-60lbs

I will put her in the back of my pick-up truck and hose it out later. Eewww!

Lisa