Moving 800 miles with 10 chickens

[cloudgazer]

I've searched the forums and have read lots of great advice on how to keep chickens contained and comfortable for long distance trips. But, I can't seem to find definitive information on whether its ok to have them in an enclosed moving truck. It will be in the winter, so I don't expect heat to be a factor. I know other ways might be more ideal (van, suv, truck bed, horse trailer), but we have some furniture and household things to move as well.

We would certainly strap everything in so it doesn't move, and give them enough space around crates for airflow. And, we would check on them during the drive (w/water). We are going to try to drive straight through and avoid stopping overnight.

Thoughts? Is there enough fresh air for them?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Will they be in the bed with a cap on it? Loose?

 

[SulkyBantam]

How long? In a box? With food?

 

[cloudgazer]

This would be an enclosed moving truck, not a truck with a bed/cap.
For 800 miles it would take about 14hrs and we would put them in crates w/food and water.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Crate pics please.

 

[cloudgazer]

I've read a ton about the crates -- wire dog crates (will have a cover on them so they can't stick their heads through), & smaller plastic pet crates. Both with mats so they don't slip. Both with pieces of wood around them so they are not pushed together and don't move. Both w/water nipples so they can get water without spillage. Apples and oranges for hydration as well.

My concern is the actual space -- using an enclosed truck.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I really think pics would help.

 

[cloudgazer]

This would be in January and I don't have pics right now. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of vehicle to rent. If we put them in the moving truck, it would be big enough that we wouldn't stack things close or on top of them of course.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Can they move in these crates?

 

[black_cat]

I think that if you have them in secured dog crates with food and water access, they'd be just fine.