Moving chickens - concerns with new environment?

[nickylou665]

Hi all!

I will be moving with my flock of 7 hens sometime in April/May. I have a plan for transporting the chickens (hello, plastic bins and hardware cloth), but should I be concerned about them being at risk of illness from new micro-organisms in the dirt or area of the new place? How can I evaluate if I should be concerned about that?

We're moving a half hour away.

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

Nah I don't think so at least mine had no problems after I moved them to the country but they didn't peck yet so maybe but I think it will be ok if you think about it in the wild they would have to travel far

 

[sourland]

Are you moving them to a place/coop that had poultry in the past ? If not, there is very little to worry about. Understand that if they are laying, they will most likely stop for a period of time. Chickens hate change.

 

[rebrascora]

I would keep a small bottle of Corid on hand just in case. Chickens build resistance to coccidia that they are exposed to in their local environment. There may be different strains at their new home and the stress of moving might weaken their immune system enough to make them vulnerable. Far better to have a bottle of Corid on hand in case you need it, as have to try to find some in a new place at short notice.

 

[lazy gardener]

The move will stress their immune system. I would simply hope for the best, though Rebra's approach is certainly more proactive. I think I'd pick up a bottle of Poultry Nutri Drench and start them on that about a week before the move.

 

[rebrascora]

That is a good idea LG and maybe a probiotic too.

 

[nickylou665]

Are you moving them to a place/coop that had poultry in the past ? If not, there is very little to worry about. Understand that if they are laying, they will most likely stop for a period of time. Chickens hate change.

As far as I know there were no chickens at the place we are moving to. Thank you for your answer!

 

[nickylou665]

The move will stress their immune system. I would simply hope for the best, though Rebra's approach is certainly more proactive. I think I'd pick up a bottle of Poultry Nutri Drench and start them on that about a week before the move.

Thank you and Rebrascora for both of those suggestions!