Hurricane Florence

[Elegantenvy]

So I'm in central south Carolina. I'm concerned about my chickens as my chickens tractor isn't the most stable place in a hurricane. I have 5 hens and 1 bantam rooster. Think they would be okay in this inside? I think they might be cramped, but I really don't wanna leave them out in the weather. I don't have much options in my house or any spare rooms to keep them in. Also afraid of one of the dogs eating them. So the cage would be safest. Any ideas or thoughts??

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you staying or leaving to evacuate? The crate would be good if you are leaving, and taking them with you. If you are staying home, they might be better inside the house or garage in that crate. I hope you can get out and evacuate if you need to. It sounds very dangerous to remain close to the hurricane. Be sure to have plenty of water and food available for them.

 

[Elegantenvy]

We are staying. Its not mandatory to evacuate here. We live in a concrete building. We are 3 hours from the coast. I wanted to out them in it inside. (Wish I had a garage) they'll probably be in my living room or bathroom in the crate.

 

[Firefoot]

Do you have a guest room or extra room that can be closed off? I recently had a couple chickens separated and just newspapered my whole guest room and guest bed and kept them in there. For the short term, it worked well and they had plenty on space.

 

[Elegantenvy]

I wish I did. But I have 3 bedrooms 3 kids and my mother in law staying whose house is in Myrtle Beach and she had to evacuate. No spare room.

 

[adrikeen]

I had to do what you are doing several years ago. I put each hen in a separate pen and let the rooster loose. I actually housed them in a shed during the storm. They were fine in each pen (which actually was a pop up dog crate). They were in there for 3 days. The roo hung out on whatever he could find to roost on. I kept checking on them during day light hours when the winds would die down. If you have the option of doing separate pens/crates or can even run out and get those pop up dog crates before tomorrow night - that would be best and would help with the cramping situation.

 

[Elegantenvy]

I had to do what you are doing several years ago. I put each hen in a separate pen and let the rooster loose. I actually housed them in a shed during the storm. They were fine in each pen (which actually was a pop up dog crate). They were in there for 3 days. The roo hung out on whatever he could find to roost on. I kept checking on them during day light hours when the winds would die down. If you have the option of doing separate pens/crates or can even run out and get those pop up dog crates before tomorrow night - that would be best and would help with the cramping situation.

My mom has on of those plastic cat carriers. A bigger one. That might help a little maybe put the roo in that and leave the girls in the pop up pen. :/

 

[MROO]

So I'm in central south Carolina. I'm concerned about my chickens as my chickens tractor isn't the most stable place in a hurricane. I have 5 hens and 1 bantam rooster. Think they would be okay in this inside? I think they might be cramped, but I really don't wanna leave them out in the weather. I don't have much options in my house or any spare rooms to keep them in. Also afraid of one of the dogs eating them. So the cage would be safest. Any ideas or thoughts??

I have the same issue. I'm in Maryland, but live in a flood prone area near the Bay. We flood regularly enough that we need a plan. I use kennel cages similar to your set-up and have had four grown bantams or six youngsters in one for nearly a week. Since you can't make the footprint bigger, go up. two or three 1x3's will fit upright between the slats of the bars. They aren't ideal, width wise, but they let you go up and increase your floor space.
Another option is to add some space with a Rubbermaid type tub. Push the sealed tub flush against an open cage door. Cut an opening in the tub so that the chickens can use it as a nesting/hiding area. You'll have to get creative to keep the dogs from separating the two pieces, but we usually solve that with a long rope (a web truck belt ratcheted around both pieces works beautifully) and low shelf unit or end table that they can't move easily.

EDIT - If you sandwich the tub between the kennel and a wall, it's a lot more stable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My mom has on of those plastic cat carriers. A bigger one. That might help a little maybe put the roo in that and leave the girls in the pop up pen. :/

Are your hens bantams as well?

We all have to do what's needed in an emergency - the cat carrier will be helpful. Depending on how big it is, you may be able to slip his favorite girl in the cat carrier with him?

I know everyone is scrambling to get supplies and I have been watching to see how this storm is coming in - seems like it's ever changes (isn't that the way it is) I can't imagine living closer to the coast right now.
Have plenty of water for sure. If you can get them easily, puppy pads work very well in cages and makes for easy cleanup and keeps dust fairly low.

I hope all goes well for you and you stay safe.

 

[Elegantenvy]

Are your hens bantams as well?

We all have to do what's needed in an emergency - the cat carrier will be helpful. Depending on how big it is, you may be able to slip his favorite girl in the cat carrier with him?

I know everyone is scrambling to get supplies and I have been watching to see how this storm is coming in - seems like it's ever changes (isn't that the way it is) I can't imagine living closer to the coast right now.
Have plenty of water for sure. If you can get them easily, puppy pads work very well in cages and makes for easy cleanup and keeps dust fairly low.

I hope all goes well for you and you stay safe.

Thanks. They are not bantams. One bantam fella and 5 big girls. Lol the cat carrier is a medium size, so I might could fit 2 girls in it. I wish I could figure out a bigger space . I'm racking my brain trying to figure it out. Half tempted to barscade my bathroom. But that would be hard trying to keep them in with everyone using the bathroom.