Moving 30 live chickens cross state lines

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

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.

I’ve talked it over with my parents we’re getting a big nice coop setup there in Texas and then we’re going to transport as many as we can in our suv and do a couple of trips

 

[Charlene W]

Do you think I could put the roosters in their own cages in the back seat and just put tons of tie downs on the coop and transport all of my hens on them

That way they would have their home coop so less stress.

 

[jlwquilter]

I moved my flock 7 hours away twice - first to my daughter’s house and then 3 months later back home to mine. It was hens and one with several young chicks, also a few old girls. I didn’t have a roo at the time but don’t think that would have made a difference.
I fully expected to lose a few chickens from stress or illness due to stress but everyone survived both trips perfectly!
I used large dog crates which I had collected from people’s garbage! Not kidding. Of course this was over time. It’s not that hard to make a replacement door if needed. Screen cut to size and a bunch of zip ties work good enough.
Anyway, we did use a flat trailer. We put plywood low sides (no need for taller than the cages) around the sides nearest to the suv/hitch end. I thought the plywood plus the body of the car would help protect the cages. I don’t know if it made any difference and all survived fine but that’s what I did. I put the broody and chicks in one cage. All the others were split into cages where they had good space but not too much. Maybe 6-7 per cage? Depends on chicken size and cage size.
We did drive thru the night as I did feel that would be less stressful for them. Again, don’t know if it made a difference. I checked on them when we stopped for gas and food. They were fine - no craziness or fear behaviors. Frankly I was surprised and pleased on how well it all went!! The return trip we did the same. All chickens did great!
I did have generous straw in the cages. No food or water as they weren’t going to eat or drink anyway and less mess or chance of injury.
Ro unload we carried the cages into the new coop and opened the doors. Placed food and water a few feet away and let them come out as they wanted to.

The question I have is whom is taking care of the chickens at the new place while you’re back in OK?

I have traveled with many chickens in cages for a few hours with them in the car. Major stink!! Can’t imagine doing it for 7 hours.

Good luck!

 

[Love Donkeys]

We used dog crates and used Lettuce crates. You can ask for used Lettuce crates at a grocery store, like Walmart. We used our stock-trailer, my husband and I drove 17 hours straight through only stopping for fuel and restrooms.

I would start off at dark and go straight through, you would need a partner to switch drivers every 2 hours. Also, at night most weight and inspection stations are closed. Pulling a private 16', or less, stock-trailer with a private vehicle you don't have to stop at weight stations.

 

[angeldiver]

I can’t, I have too many expensive birds that I love and don’t want to get rid of, I will just do what other people say

You don’t have to leave them. You’re going to an area that has a more similar temperature and humidity than I did when I moved from Vancouver, WA to Tulsa, OK. I brought 5 hens that we loaded up in a coop in the back of the pickup. Every time we stopped for gas, the ladies got fresh water. Not only did they make the 3 day trip with flying colors, but they never stopped laying.

 

[Namastesmama]

You should at least consider leaving them in the area you are now as in rehoming them or selling them and starting over in your new place. Chickens hate change, and this will be huge, - different coop/run, different climate, plus the trip. Stresses like this can bring on dormant diseases.

DO do the state laws! This may be expensive and a royal inconvenience but it is so important to do it. Do move them in the night.

Mrs K

 

[Namastesmama]

I can’t, I have too many expensive birds that I love and don’t want to get rid of, I will just do what other people say

Nonsense to getting rid of your birds lol. I moved mine from Florida to West Virginia. A 13+ hour trip in crates with shavings. 30 birds (Roos and hens placed together) and drove at night. They all did just fine. Yours will have much more of a similar climate than mine did adjusting to that first winter. So no worries! Good luck on your new ventures!

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

We used dog crates and used Lettuce crates. You can ask for used Lettuce crates at a grocery store, like Walmart. We used our stock-trailer, my husband and I drove 17 hours straight through only stopping for fuel and restrooms.

I would start off at dark and go straight through, you would need a partner to switch drivers every 2 hours. Also, at night most weight and inspection stations are closed. Pulling a private 16', or less, stock-trailer with a private vehicle you don't have to stop at weight stations.

I’m going to get a vet inspection still because as long as I get that there really isn’t any law’s stopping me so I’m not risking anything but I do like the dark idea.

 

[Sammster]

You should at least consider leaving them in the area you are now as in rehoming them or selling them and starting over in your new place. Chickens hate change, and this will be huge, - different coop/run, different climate, plus the trip. Stresses like this can bring on dormant diseases.

The only problem is that rehoming them also subjects them to a new environment, and probably integration stresses. I wonder if the people buying your current home (if that is your scenario) would be interested in keeping your chickens. I've actually heard of this.

Edit to add: I just read your comment that you can't leave them behind. I do like the rest of Mrs K's suggestion:

DO do the state laws! This may be expensive and a royal inconvenience but it is so important to do it. Do move them in the night.

Mrs K