Moving flock from NE to NC-Advise on how to do it

[Penske]

Hi all!

It's been a long time since I've posted! We are planning to move to NC to be closer to family. Has anyone moved a flock of chickens to a new state?
I am not sure what to do once we are ready. I have 1 roo and 11 hens. Moving from northeast to NC. How will the climate affect them?

Anyone out there with this experience? It'll be a two day drive...

Thanks for your help!

Lisa

 

[Buugette]

A VERY BIG suitcase...

Sorry I can't be of help... but I'm sure someone will have the answer for you. Best of luck on your move.

D

 

[HorizonSon]

A highway/freeway worthy "chicken trailer" with a nice suspension system would be sweeeeet!

 

[babalubird]

I never tried to move chickens, but we taxi our parrots back and forth many weekends to our farm 100 miles away. We put each one in a small Walmart dog crate with some newspapers in the bottom. I keep thinking I'll get a small perch built in there one of these days. That would be better.

Anyway, old dog crates from a thrift store?

Also I've built parrot carriers out of rabbit wire too. Very easy to do with 1x2" rabbit wire sides and top, 1/2x1" on bottom, some J-clips or small U-clips not the right name--they look like very small hog-rings) and the appropriate tool to put them on the wire, i.e., J-clip pliers and forget what the other thing is called. Don't try to use regular pliers. Get the right tool. These allow better ventilation.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

You might try PM'ing Ladyhawk Smith (cetawin on BYC). She recently moved (last spring) from Oregon to Kentucky with all her birds, thru snowstorms, etc, etc.

I would think she could be a wealth of knowledge

 

[mulewagon]

For the move, I would get a poultry cage from Tractor Supply or a feed store, and strap it in the back of a pickup truck. Wrap it in a tarp this time of year. (I suppose you could fit the cage in the back of a car, with plenty of newspaper and air freshener, but would you want to?

)

You'll want to be careful in summer. Heat can really bother chickens. How hot does it get in NC? If it's up around 100 a lot, they'll need a very open coop and a lot of shade. Give them ice water if they're panting. I've heard rolled oats are cooling. Lay off the hot pepper for the summer!