I might not be able to wait...added question #3

[2DogsFarm]

Until my henyard fencing is redone.
I might have to go to the local livestock auction Monday and see if they have any breeds I have to take home NOW!
If they do I might be a ChickenMom to 4 hens

2 questions:

1-is anyone here familiar with the Lowell,IN auction? Will there be any breeds (not show quality, just pets/layers) available besides production breeds?

2-will it be okay to confine hens to my coop while I'm at work - there is a screened door that I can leave open for light & air - then allow them out for about 3-4 hours when I get home until it gets dark?

3-if I do succumb, how do I get them home? No pickup truck, just my Ford explorer. Can they go in a cat carrier or a (bigger) cardboard box?

I'm asking because my neighbor got his hens (and 2 roosters!) and hasn't put his fencing up so he has been mostly keeping them in and lets them out to wander until dark.

go ahead...enable me...

 

[horsejody]

You have permission. Go get some chickens.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Quote:
Thanks...I think...

Pretty palomino!
Since you have horses, will it be okay to use pine shavings in the nestboxes or should I use hay?
I've got plenty of both.

 

[horsejody]

I don't know anything about that particular auction, but the chickens will be fine in the coop all day as long they aren't crowded and have light and ventilation.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Day olds don't need a big box at all, I brought 6 home in a paper (office) box. Laying hens, you'd want something decent sized although in my experience, they lay down and chill whenever being moved.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Quote:
I'm definitely looking for hens or at least started pullets.
No babychicks for me! <she said optimistically...
SO:
If I mentally picture 4 hens fitting in a big cardboard box (with some shavings on the bottom) they s/b okay for the 1/2 hour ride home in the back of the SUV?

horsejody: my coop is about 8X12 and 8' tall - plenty room for 4 hens judging by what I've read on this BB

 

[Judy]

Definitely.

And they will LOVE their huge coop!

Then you can get more....

 

[sherrydeanne]

Yep, a box at least 15x15 or so would be fine

They'll be absolutely fine for half an hour.

 

[Jennie5193]

A large dog crate would be fine for transporting 4 hens for 30 minutes.

I put 6 hens in one for 20 minutes and there was still room left over, but they're not going to be running around on the trip home.

Good Luck!

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

if you don't have the place ready why are you buying hens now?

It is the thing we all want to do
but if they will be in a hot chcken house even with the door open they may get over heated

It is 80 degrees here and this is South Dakota

so hope you can wait
chickens are a luxery in the suburbs aren't they????