Moving!!! How to Transport?!

[454Chevy]

Hello. I am getting ready to move from Illinois to South Dakota, which is a 12-13 hour drive. I am wanting to take the 20 young pullets I purchased this spring with me, but am unsure if they will make the trip. They range from 5-8 weeks in age. I planned on taking at least three separate dog kennels to keep them from overcrowding each other or overheating. I will be in a car with air conditioning, but am still concerned to take them on that long of a trip. Does anyone have suggestions on bedding to reduce the smell? Also would watermelon pieces be a good source of hydration? Thank you in advance!

 

[cavemanrich]

My suggestion,,,,, is to feed, and water them before packing them up. Have plenty of pine shavings on bottom bedding. This will absorb gumdrops , and be a good cushion as well.
Peeps send Grown chickens thru mail all the time. They are not fed or watered during their trip/flight. Your chickens when roosting for the night do not get up and drink and eat. That means that, them being away from food and water for 13 hours is not a big issue. When you get to your destination, offer them water then. Some food also.
I am assuming that you would drive the 13 hours in one day. If you plan to make it a 2 day journey, then things look different.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Kris5902]

Speaking of night and not eating/drinking... would moving them at night be any easier? Assuming it’s feasable/they wouldn’t be too disturbed by the travel. I would think that would further reduce the risk of overheating. Also, if there’s anyway you can use a van or the ‘largest cargo space’ vehicle you have available, I would think that would help. We have a full sized cargo van we often use for sheep and a miniature horse. I’ve never had to move grown chickens for longer than 3-4 hours, and we just had them in the back of our pickup, crated, and demanded they park us in the shaded area on the ferry.

 

[getaclue]

I'd get small boxes, even banker type boxes. Cut plenty of air holes on all sides at various levels. Put pine shavings in it. I wouldn't put more than 4-5 in a box. Hydration is a concern. Watermelon slices might do the trick. I personally would stop every 4-6 hours, and offer them some water. I use a couple cut down cups, and bottled water for this. Food is not a concern, as long as you can get them set up immediately upon your arrival at your destination.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Do not use boxes! Use your cages, I have seen chickens die when transporting them in boxes with air holes, they need lots of ventilation. I would put a tarp under all the cages and use hay. I would stop at the halfway point and give them some bowls of water for a few minutes just to be safe

 

[Kris5902]

Do not use boxes! Use your cages, I have seen chickens die when transporting them in boxes with air holes, they need lots of ventilation. I would put a tarp under all the cages and use hay. I would stop at the halfway point and give them some bowls of water for a few minutes just to be safe

This X2 you’ll want to protect your car from their droppings, I’m guessing it’s your daily car? You can fold the tarp up at the bottom some to make a basin for the hay... clips are good for keeping the corners up

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that they have space, as in big dog crates, and stop for watering at times. I'd have some food in the shavings in each crate, for entertainment at least.
Make sure that you check up on requirements for health certificates and any needed testing right away, so it can be all in order for your trip. Call your state ag department, and South Dakota's too, and your vet, to get things in order.
Mary

 

[aart]

Does anyone have suggestions on bedding to reduce the smell? Also would watermelon pieces be a good source of hydration? Thank you in advance!

It's gonna stink, no doubt about it.....you'll want to crack a window.
I would not give them watermelon, it will give them juicy poops.
I would however dose them with Sav-A-Chick electrolytes/vitamins a few days before you go just for a boost.
Moving at night would be a plus for them, if not for you.
You're using a car or a van? Need to keep cages horizontal.

 

[trudyg]

Adding to what others have said, if you can keep them dark they will travel better. I know with heat/ac etc it's not easy. They could probably handle cold better than hot. Maybe one of those sunshade on the sunny side to have it not directly on them? Or those stick on things for babies that shields them from the sun on all the glass surrounding them? Night travel would be best, I think, if you can do it.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes - check the rules and do it legally for everyones protection.

I would use a hamster bottle or a nipple waterer. I would not feed them, and know this is going to be a real mess inside a vehicle.

Truthfully, it would be better to sell these girls, and get new, in the new place.