hens and hurricanes

[DoulaHallie]

Ok, for those of you living in hurricane zones, what do you do with your birds when a storm comes? Im sure my coop isn't "up to code" for withstanding a hurricane. Looking for tips and ideas to be prepared in case we have to move quickly to get out of here.

 

[mrbstephens]

Great question! I never even thought of this!

 

[Imp]

In case of emergency I have a couple large boxes under the bed to move the hens inside. In case of evacuation I have a dog kennel. I only have 4 hens so it is practical.
Good of you to think about this before a hurricane.

Imp

 

[chickenlittle32]

Thanks for asking this question. I was thinking about this last night. Can't wait to read others ideas as to what they do.

 

[ranchhand]

You and me both! I had originally planned to put the chickens in cages in the garage/shop. But the shop is crammed with SIL's estate right now, so I am thinking about alternatives.

I have one small, very sturdy coop that I can board up pretty fast, but that still leaves a lot of birds. We have 3 large dogs inside, so I'm trying to think of a way to keep them separated. The best I have come up with is to cover the floor of the spare BR with a tarp and put the cages in there.
Board the windows, have food and water available and leave them in there for the duration. Coop and run repairs should be pretty fast, as long as I can find the pieces!

Would love to hear your input and more!

 

[flakey chick]

I am new at chickens so haven't had to deal with it yet, but I have a plan. We only have 3 hens and plan to keep them in our sun room (where they were brooded). We had them there in their tweens too. I had a pen in there with old sheets underneath. It helped the poo dry out fast.

I have also decided to make diapers so we can let them run around with us too. I figure it will be good to have diapers on hand for other emerencies or injuries. For the 2004 hurricanes season, going stir crazy was an issue. The first one of the season we were stuck inside for 2 days straight.

If I had to leave them outside, I'd weight their tractor down with water-filled containers. It helped keep other stuff in our yard.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have been thinking about this as well. I live in Louisiana, so I get worried around this time of year. Hurricane season makes my blood pressure rise. I have right at 100 chickens and I just pray each year. They make it thru those tough nights and days. I never had to evacuate and if I did, I'm not sure what I would do with 100 chickens and the rest of the animal barnyard. I don't think that my coops are up to hurricane code either. I have 5 coops and a couple of brooders. No more hatching of any eggs for me right now. The chicks will be too small to weather the storm but then again, I would bring all of the babies inside the house.

Can't wait to hear other responses. It's always good to have a plan.

 

[ranchhand]

We have a metal 8 x 10 shed- something you really don't want flying all around. Last year, we filled 5 gallon buckets with water, capping them to keep the mosquitos out.

We then set 4 on each side of the shed and ran ropes across, tying them to the buckets on either side. No 'canes came through, but some pretty heavy winds didn't budge it. The upside is washing water is in the buckets if you need it later.

 

[helloroe]

Seeing I am in FL with storms off our coast we have been talking about this alot the last few days. We did alot of planning for this when building even. The coop is built on 4"x 4"'s that are sunk in the ground a few feet. There are hurricane straps attached.

For secondary plan due to concerns of tress falling we have an outside bathroom built in our block garage. There is a 3' x 5' shower where they chicks began their time here. They might have to go back if there is a danger of a tree or too high a winds that I am concerned about something flying into their coop.

 

[ranchhand]

I was just going to say it's obvious we're all watching Ana, Bill and Claudette! (Is it Claudette?)

Bill is the one I am most worried about. Hugo was in 1989, we are long overdue. (ranchie knocks wood)