Moving 15 miles away with 60 chickens (and 2 mamma hens)

[FatChicksDigMe]

The best nabbing tool I've found is a nice big fishing net.  I can drop it over the bird on the perch at night, and then grab their feet.  I don't know what I ever did before I tried that net.  It's ancient.  When the netting finally rots out, I plan to re-string it.

they didn't freak out?! Lol

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

I've moved 10 birds, my first flock, in a large(42"L x 28"W x 30"H) wire dog crate.
They were kenneled together and we just herded them into the crate, lifted it into the van and 40 miles later let them out into new coop.
They hunkered down and were fine.

I also have moved other birds in dog crates, crated them at night and transported the next morning.

But with your situation, getting them off roosts at night, putting them in ventilated cardboard boxes,
then taking them directly to the new place and putting them on the roosts there is the best bet.
I've found using a headlight set on low gives me enough vision in dark without giving them enough light to move off.

You still might have to do some chasing down...grab bird firmly with both hands holding wings down.

Best of cLuck!

Thank you! Yes, this sounds pretty much like the overall plan I have now... I'm just nervous with the fact that I have so many! Do you think I should separate the roosters though from the hens?

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

I don't know if you'll be able to or not, but moving the roost poles that they're accustomed to might not hurt anything...a bit of familiarity might help their settlin' in.  It doesn't have to be the night of the move but maybe the next day or so.  Even some old litter scattered out...anything to give them a smell, sense, sight,...of "home".  Any kind of diversions...heads of lettuce, watermelons, box of crickets, etc., to give them something to wile away the days of their "re-homing time".

Best wishes and congratulations on the move!!!!!!!!!  
Ed

I will definitely consider that, thanks!

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

Collect boxes or dog crates....Catch the broody and Chicks...Put Broody in a box alone or transport her with the Chicks...Get her and chicks settled into new coop first...Might take a few trips..Wine boxes that hold six bottles work great to haul a Chicken a short distance..Shavings on the bottom with a few holes pocked on the side..Happy Birds!

Good idea! Thank you

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

Maybe the best of all would be to wait until dark to gather them, haul them in the dark to their new digs, hand place them on the roosts of their new coop and let them wake up there the next morning.  Catching, hauling, and transplanting won't be as traumatic for them in the dark.  Not sure if you free range but I'd keep them cooped for a couple days so they don't run away and instead slowly get used to their new home.  Good luck to you!!

Very wise. I will move them an hour before dawn hopefully

 

[aart]

Quote: Not sure about that. If you move them in the dark, in cardboard boxes, and quickly (box them up, take them over, release them), it's probably not going to matter.

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

Not sure about that. If you move them in the dark, in cardboard boxes, and quickly (box them up, take them over, release them), it's probably not going to matter.

you're probably right... Thanks!

 

[donrae]

I also use a fishing new when I have to catch birds during the day. they do freak out some, but I'm okay with that. Gotta do what you gotta do and all that.

But, for moving that many birds, I'd definitely do it at night. I wouldn't do it before dawn, I'd do it at night. My birds are up and moving around pretty darn early.

I wouldn't worry about separating anyone during transport. If they're living together now, they can be in a box together for that short period of time.

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

I also use a fishing new when I have to catch birds during the day. they do freak out some, but I'm okay with that. Gotta do what you gotta do and all that. 

But, for moving that many birds, I'd definitely do it at night. I wouldn't do it before dawn, I'd do it at night. My birds are up and moving around pretty darn early. 

I wouldn't worry about separating anyone during transport. If they're living together now, they can be in a box together for that short period of time. 

Now that you mention it, they are early risers... I guess night it is.