Hurricane Preparation

[DR ARNETT]

Hey y'all, I hope this is the right tread to post this in...
We live in sunny Central Florida, and it's starting to look like that category 4 hurricane Irma is going to directly hit our area. I've lived through a few hurricanes, but not with chickens. Any suggestions on what to do?

HAVENT HERD FROM U LATLY RU OK/??

 

[Kelsbug7]

Hey everyone. As the next hurricane season just started, I read through this thread to get some ideas and advice. Phew this thread got me emotional. Irma was terrifying- truly a force of nature to not mess around with. I’m in SW Florida and we missed a direct hit by about 50 miles!

First of all, we stayed in SW Florida during Irma because my fiancé is required to stay due to him being a first responder. I wouldn’t and will not leave without him.

We’re going to have to stay through any storm in the future, but this is my first time having chickens so I’m wondering how everyone did who took their chickens inside? How did they do? I have a garage and also a bathroom I could put them in. Any advice?? There’s no way I’d leave them outside during a storm like that- it was scary enough inside, I can’t imagine being outside!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Hey everyone. As the next hurricane season just started, I read through this thread to get some ideas and advice. Phew this thread got me emotional. Irma was terrifying- truly a force of nature to not mess around with. I’m in SW Florida and we missed a direct hit by about 50 miles!

First of all, we stayed in SW Florida during Irma because my fiancé is required to stay due to him being a first responder. I wouldn’t and will not leave without him.

We’re going to have to stay through any storm in the future, but this is my first time having chickens so I’m wondering how everyone did who took their chickens inside? How did they do? I have a garage and also a bathroom I could put them in. Any advice?? There’s no way I’d leave them outside during a storm like that- it was scary enough inside, I can’t imagine being outside!

I would highly suggest that if evacuations are ordered for your area, regardless of your fiancée's profession, that you bug out. For one, its one less thing for him to have to worry about; less stress on him if your at home and crap goes sideways. Especially if at some point you are planning a family. Don't risk yourself or your family just because your husband has a job to do. Get away, get to safety, be one less thing to distract him from doing his job and being safe.
My sister's family had to bug out from Miami during Irma. She had to stay as she's a medical equipment repair manager. She stayed at the hospital, where it was safe, instead of at home.... which was lucky because one of their trees almost hit the house.

 

[Kelsbug7]

I would highly suggest that if evacuations are ordered for your area, regardless of your fiancée's profession, that you bug out. For one, its one less thing for him to have to worry about; less stress on him if your at home and crap goes sideways. Especially if at some point you are planning a family. Don't risk yourself or your family just because your husband has a job to do. Get away, get to safety, be one less thing to distract him from doing his job and being safe.
My sister's family had to bug out from Miami during Irma. She had to stay as she's a medical equipment repair manager. She stayed at the hospital, where it was safe, instead of at home.... which was lucky because one of their trees almost hit the house.

I appreciate your concern however I just accepted a new city job in which I believe I will be required to stay for immediate assistance following a natural disaster. I might even have to work a shelter- not entirely sure of the protocol yet. We have a new roof and no trees to land on the house and we are at a decent elevation so not worried about flooding. Also have hurricane shutters.

 

[Kelsbug7]

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I would highly suggest that if evacuations are ordered for your area, regardless of your fiancée's profession, that you bug out. For one, its one less thing for him to have to worry about; less stress on him if your at home and crap goes sideways. Especially if at some point you are planning a family. Don't risk yourself or your family just because your husband has a job to do. Get away, get to safety, be one less thing to distract him from doing his job and being safe.
My sister's family had to bug out from Miami during Irma. She had to stay as she's a medical equipment repair manager. She stayed at the hospital, where it was safe, instead of at home.... which was lucky because one of their trees almost hit the house.

Oh also no evacuations were ordered for my area. Suggested but not mandatory like many other areas around us.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I appreciate your concern however I just accepted a new city job in which I believe I will be required to stay for immediate assistance following a natural disaster. I might even have to work a shelter- not entirely sure of the protocol yet. We have a new roof and no trees to land on the house and we are at a decent elevation so not worried about flooding. Also have hurricane shutters.

Ok, that's different matter altogether. I thought you were saying you would stay regardless of anything simply because he couldn't leave, which could be very foolhardy.

 

[Kelsbug7]

Ok, that's different matter altogether. I thought you were saying you would stay regardless of anything simply because he couldn't leave, which could be very foolhardy.

Well either way, I want to protect my chickens. If they’re inside, did you put like straw in the bathtub? Or nothing at all on the floor? They have a habit of just walking straight though their poop so I would think something on the floor to kind of soak it up would be good. Just curious so I can have some plans ahead of time. If I by chance leave, they’re going in my trunk. I saw someone said just leave it cracked. My back seat comes down so I’ll put them in the trunk and put the backseat down a little so they get some airflow... and so my dog doesn’t eat them haha. Or if I go stay at the police station shelter with my fiancé I’ll board them up in the house when I leave.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I'm up in CT and didn't have chickens when we had TS Irene or Sandy... But others on here, like @KikisGirls was in Texas during Harvey. I believe she brought hers into her house, in a bathroom.
For me, I'd probably put them in one of my bathrooms, but so far haven't had cause. We had a killer winter storm this past winter that brought down tons of trees and branches. We lost a number our selves, but the coop and run weren't hit.

 

[DrFeathers]

I feel like my vote would be garage over bathroom unless there is concern for the garage door coming off? Yuck chicken dust and toothbrushes
I bought a temporary chicken run to use with my grow out coop that folds up like a dog kennel, and looks like one but much bigger. There is a review of it if you look under my content. If we have another hurricane in NY I will be setting it up in my garage and moving the ladies inside to hide.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I feel like my vote would be garage over bathroom unless there is concern for the garage door coming off? Yuck chicken dust and toothbrushes
I bought a temporary chicken run to use with my grow out coop that folds up like a dog kennel, and looks like one but much bigger. There is a review of it if you look under my content. If we have another hurricane in NY I will be setting it up in my garage and moving the ladies inside to hide.

Yea, I wish I had the option. I don't have a garage... but I have an unused bathroom in my basement. I even have my husband's shop in the basement... So that's where they'd probably go.