Moving Chickens?

[Jster]

We'll be moving 500 miles in two weeks with our chickens! I was planning on taking out the two middle seats in the mini van, putting the chickens there in a big dog crate, I'll have three kids along the back seat (all in carseats) and the two cats in a carrier on the passenger seat. Lucky hubby gets to drive the moving truck!

I appreciate the suggestions about a cloth over them. I was actually thinking of leaving in the late afternoon (4pm ish) and driving through so that I can drive while everyone (but the cats) is asleep anyway. Does that sound doable? But I don't know how we'll get in the place when we get there, because I don't think we can get the key to our house until the next day.

Also, what sort of bedding do people suggest? I'm kind of worried about the mess/smell from 10 chickens. Any thoughts?

Glad to know I'm not the only one who couldn't bear to leave my chickens behind!

 

[MamaJohnson]

You're gonna love Idaho!!

Especially after those Texas summers! And my brother in Texas was just telling me about the Tornado warnings last week... oh yea, you're gonna love it here! Will you be on the East or the West?

 

[NancyDz]

I would use the wood pellet bedding, it really absorbs moisture and smell well.

I think your plan of driving through is good, especially with the van full you have!
Just make sure you can stay awake! Try adjusting your schedule for a few days before.

Also can you call and see if you can pick up the key first thing in the morning or maybe even have it overnighted to you before you come? Otherwise, just go park in the driveway until daylight...


Good luck!

Nancy

 

[cposz]

We moved our two chickens only a few hours recently, and we bought a little portable/collapsible playpen. We just put the pen on the floor of the van, put down some pine bedding, and put them in. There are screen windows all around and a screen "roof" so we could keep an eye on them. Got a little smelly every now and then, but with the front vents on high and the van's back windows open, it wasn't too bad.

I was surprised at what calm riders they were - not a peep out of either of them during the whole trip!

 

[anthrochick]

We're moving from Michigan to NC with a flock of 6. It's a 2 day trip. We have various sized kennels we can put them in--would folks recommend putting them in the same carrier or separate?

 

[BlazeJester]

I just moved two pullets together in a medium dog carrier (plastic) on pine shavings (that's what was available). It was a 2 hr trip but this could be applicable otherwise. I put a towel over the crate and they went to sleep. I put honey in their water when they arrived, both as a treat and for immune booster. They're just fine, though one was a little overheated from the excitement and didn't stop panting for another half hour after we got out of the car. Talk to them and be aware of turns/stopping; adjust your driving accordingly to minimize discomfort.

 

[ontimeborzoi]

I've done it! Moved my flock long distances, that is.
The first time I moved them the girls were only a few months old. I used two very large wire dog crates ( and a big van ). First I ran 1" x 2 " furring strips across the crate to divide it horizontally and then set the pan( which normally goes at the bottom ) up on the strips...now it was a double decker, for more space per chick. Then I taped garbage bags around the outside perimeter up to about five inches to hold the pine shavings in, and *then* wrapped the crate in aviary netting because the spacing on the wire would have allowed the chicks to escape. You'll have to finess the gate some. Once it was dark the crates were loaded with chicks. I stopped every few hours and set a bowl of water in the crate for about ten minutes. Fed a couple times a day. You can semi cover the crates and keep the chicks semi quiet. : )
They stayed in the van in the crates until night time at the new location...once it was dark, I carried them out to their new coop. Morning must have been a shock...new coop, new run, new whole world! LOL
Moved them again as adults, only with four wire dog crates and no dividers, same drill. Went perfectly. Easy peasy.

 

[FHornFrog]

Hi everyone! We are moving from Albuquerque, NM to Fairbanks, AK with 5 dogs and 4 hens. We imagine it will take about 10 days to make the drive. We are definitely concerned with the issues of crossing borders, temperatures and weather, and finding lodging. I'm doing research regarding transporting everone from state to state, and finding a USDA vet in Montana to make sure all of our paperwork is set before we go into Canada. I'm also looking into hotels. I could really use some logistical advice. Has anyone else traveled this route, or part of it? It looks like we will drive up through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, then through Alberta and Yukon into Alaska. With a trip this long, I can't imagine keeping the girls in a crate that long, but I also can't imagine letting them out. We will be moving all of the animals together in one large SUV, and the dogs can't be with unkenneled with the chickens. What are your thoughts/experiences? Thanks!

 

[dwahlheim]

Just saw your post.... we are moving 6 chickens this summer, how did your move go?