Hurricane possibly coming...what to do with my girls?

[ksbmom]

Hi there! I'm pretty new to this form and this is my first new post. I live in the Tampa Bay area, right in the projected path of Fay, and was wondering if anyone else had weathered a big storm with chickens? My husband built a nice coop, but I don't know how much it will withstand. We thought about putting them on the porch if we need to - will tile injure their feet? It would probably only be for a day or two at the most. And if we did leave them out in the coop, would it cause them to stop laying? Thanks for any help!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Is it possible that it will flood where you live (storm surge)?
Chickens can't swim...

I would try to find the driest place for them to ride out the storm, since getting wet and cold isn't healthy for them either. Make sure they have a warm place with dry food and plenty of fresh water. If you think you might lose water or have bad water for a few days after the storm, you might want to stockpile extra water to give to your chickens. I wouldn't worry about the tile floor. If you can put some bedding down for them (even old newspapers), that would help make them more comfortable, though.

Stress can cause a disruption in your birds' egg-laying. The warmer and calmer you keep them, the better off they'll be (just like humans or a dog or cat).

 

[horsejody]

Are you evacuating? If you are, is there a place to take them? I don't know how many you have, but if it's only a few, maybe you can take them further inland. If you need to evacuate them, maybe someone on the board lives within driving distance, but is on safer ground.

 

[ksbmom]

Thanks for the ideas - we don't get storm surge and generally don't flood, and we won't have to evacuate unless we get a cat 3 or stronger. I think the porch with some bedding is our best bet - we have extra water and plenty of feed, so they should do alright. We only have 8 hens (one thinks she's a rooster, but that's another story...)

 

[Appytaz]

Hi, I am in Polk County and also making preps for the hurricane. We have decided to Cage everyone and put them in the garage. We only have 5 so it will not be to hard to keep them put up. We have enough cages so the adults will have their own "room" and the 2 babies can share a "room". If you need anything, give me a holler at [email protected].

Kellee

 

[ksbmom]

Thanks Kellee! We're in Hillsborough and I just heard on the radio that the storm is now supposed to be well south of us. We had also thought about putting the girls in the garage, but I don't think we have enough pet carriers/cages/whatever for all 8 of them, and if we just let them roam the garage they may well disappear among my husband's junk!

 

[sundance]

We used to live outside Lakeland,and strong winds meant cage and coop. if you don't have to many.My DD lives in Lakeland and they just checked the cages on their ducks and anchored them good. Be sure you have plenty of candles, and BE CAREFUL. Since I was born and went to school there,I have lived Thu a lots of them but each is Dangerous.

marrie

 

[Appytaz]

Wow - that is good news. I know before coming into work today, we were expecting a majority of the storm on this side. I just saw the closed the schools here for Tues & Weds.
Some thing to think about with your porch is gicing them somewhere to hide. My group free range and they head for the bushes when a storm is coming.

 

[dani813]

I live in the Clearwater/Largo area and I'm bringing my girls in the house and keeping them in a large dog crate. This will give my big girls a chance to see the little ones in the brooder as well. Should be interesting.