Moving 30 live chickens cross state lines

[Mrs. K]

Traveling at night would be best, unless it is real cold.

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Traveling at night would be best, unless it is real cold.

It may be in December and I’ve talked it over with my parents (ima teen or I wouldn’t be moving away from OK) and we’re getting a nice new run and coop there and then going to take a couple at a time with them in the back seat, so we don’t have to get tons of dog crates, and also we need to take multiple trips anyway because of all my reptiles.

 

[SourRoses]

I'd seriously consider reducing your flock to the most necessary or loved individuals.
We moved a half hour away at the very end of last year. I feel like I'm still recovering. And we had reduced our flock to begin with.
Because we didn't have enough crates, I used a bunch of dog exercise panels we had on hand and ziptied them together in the bed of a pickup (right behind the cab) with a top. They had about 5x4 maybe 5x5 ft area. Then we put our cages in the remaining area of truck bed with the juveniles.
The hardest part was after we arrived, trying to get the chickens all unloaded from the truck. The panel cage I made wasn't suitable for fetching birds back out again. So it was one by one, lots of crawling... and I got doo painted all over that pair of pants. lol
We then had to clean that truck very well to return it.
None of that setup would be suitable for highway speeds. That's a lot of wind to have to protect them from in a way that also won't overheat them.

The suggestion of a horse trailer was a good one. It covers the wind and ventilation problem, and they're made for cleaning out. It can be very hard to find a horse trailer rental though. Perhaps your parents might buy one?

It might be more feasible to call up the horse / livestock transport companies, since they have established routes, and ask about hiring them to take all your birds and reptiles in one go. It's not the cheaper option, for sure, but it would be the easy one if they said yes. Probably more purveyors in Tx than Ok. But make sure they are a legitimate company.

 

[Kiki]

Ok so in 6 months I may be moving near Houston Texas and right now I’m near McAlester Oklahoma. It will be a 7hr dive and I have 24 chickens and 6 guineas, I’ve got around 14 adults right now so by the time I move it will be 30 adult birds and I have no idea how I will transport them, has anyone else done this before

Start reading here:
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/entry.html

Poultry Movement Notice:

• Live poultry entering Texas from an avian influenza affected state must have a negative test within 72 hours of entry and receive specific TAHC permission granting this movement.
• Prior to movement, all individuals moving poultry into Texas must call the TAHC at 512-719-0777 for Texas entry requirements (i.e. certificate of veterinary inspection, entry permit, testing, etc.).

 

[Kiki]

https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/pdf/MovementRequirements_Poultry.pdf

 

[Sally PB]

@Kiki, thank you for covering this in detail with the proper pertinent info.

 

[Folly's place]

And all that might be invalid if AI, or something, occurs the week you want to move them!
It's been a volatile situation, over AI and Newcastle, and can change very fast.
Mary

 

[chooki]

I travel with my chickens between the suburban home and our farm every now and then, although it's only 1.7 hours drive. I put 2 birds in 0.6m x 0.5m x 0.4m cage and 3 birds inside the 1m x 0.5m x 0.6m cage, but only if they are of the same flock and get along. If they don't, they need to be separated to avoid bullying in the confined space.
You can feed them and provide water when you are in the rest areas.
I usually use my SUV, because there are usually only a couple of chooks. I don't know what kind of vehicle you are going to use, given 7 hours drive of yours, I recommend to not share your space with the chickens because they poop a lot, and it will stink after an hour or so.
Back of a truck or a large box trailer will do, put wood shavings or straws will provide the birds some comfort and make the cleaning afterwards easier.
Also depends on your vehicle of choice, you might have to check on the ventilation or secure something to shelter your birds from elements of weather.

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

I travel with my chickens between the suburban home and our farm every now and then, although it's only 1.7 hours drive. I put 2 birds in 0.6m x 0.5m x 0.4m cage and 3 birds inside the 1m x 0.5m x 0.6m cage, but only if they are of the same flock and get along. If they don't, they need to be separated to avoid bullying in the confined space.
You can feed them and provide water when you are in the rest areas.
I usually use my SUV, because there are usually only a couple of chooks. I don't know what kind of vehicle you are going to use, given 7 hours drive of yours, I recommend to not share your space with the chickens because they poop a lot, and it will stink after an hour or so.
Back of a truck or a large box trailer will do, put wood shavings or straws will provide the birds some comfort and make the cleaning afterwards easier.
Also depends on your vehicle of choice, you might have to check on the ventilation or secure something to shelter your birds from elements of weather.

We have a big suv and will have to make multiple trips without all the little siblings I have, so we will pack the thing full of crates and take as many as we can and then come back for the rest on the next trip

 

[Red Horse]

I like the horse trailer idea. I don't know what it would cost to rent one, but people are always trying to get rid of them for cheap on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You could always buy a cheap used one, then hock it again on either site once you don't need it anymore. For water I might try to secure a nipple waterer inside the trailer somewhere (like, REALLY secure so it doesn't become a cannonball in the event of an accident) if your birds are familiar with that type of waterer. If not you'd want to start them on it beforehand. I think the other folks who said to use a good thick layer of straw or coarse wood shavings and driving at night if possible are spot on.