Moving my babies across country

[sindywmsharris]

Hello All! I have an urban homesteader flock of 6 chickens (mixed breeds) and a duck. We will be moving from Colorado to Oregon in October and I am looking for suggestions on best way to move my beloved girls. I am not in favor of the back of a truck transport - was considering purchasing an old RV so that I have constant access to them to monitor stress and care.

Any tips, tricks, strategies for the optimal way to move my loves to their new home would be greatly appreciated!

 

[True Patriot]

Buying a RV sounds like a big expense for moving a small flock. You could either look int buying or making some transport crates. The back of the truck idea may not sound the most appealing. But livestock and pets have been moved from place to place for a long time that way. The additional benefit to crates are they can be used as isolation, maternity, or hospital duty once at the new home. They can be found online for about $40-80.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

The back of the truck sounds like the best thing. If you want you can make pitstops to check on them and replenish their food and water.

 

[123RedBeard]

Or, a van ... or just rent a uhaul ... even in a crate your gonna have some mess ... fortunately OR is not too far for you ... depending on where in CO you live, and where in OR your going, it could be a one day trip ...

 

[TheYLWFlock]

I agree, if you really want an RV, just rent a Uhaul.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you were thinking of buying an RV, I think the best alternative is renting a cargo van and using crates, with rest stops as needed. I personally wouldn't be as keen on tossing the animals in the back of a U haul as I too would rather be able to keep an eye on them.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

If you were thinking of buying an RV, I think the best alternative is renting a cargo van and using crates, with rest stops as needed. I personally wouldn't be as keen on tossing the animals in the back of a U haul as I too would rather be able to keep an eye on them.

Yes good point.

 

[townchicks]

Renting a van might be cheaper than buying an old R/V, or you might look into renting an R/V if you are thinking you might have several nights on the road. I'm with you about the back of a truck, especially if it's hot.

 

[123RedBeard]

October in CO to OR is not gonna be hot ...

Commercial chicken farmers in the south us crates on flatbed trucks to move chickens ... in the heat of summer ...

If your gonna be checking on them while driving ... I hope someone else is behind the wheel ... !

Uhaul has regular vans, minus the rear seats ... or with seperate cargo box behind in various sizes ...

If OP is moving ... how are you moving your other stuff?

 

[aart]

First, you might want to check on Oregon's agricultural regulations for bringing livestock into the state.

For transport, the cargo van sounds like the best best...or even a minivan, one that has power rear vent windows, cause it's gonna get stinky in there.