Moving my hens from CA to TX?

[kathasaurus]

We are moving to TX from CA. Does anyone know the laws about crossing state lines with poultry?? When you enter TX, they open and search your vehicle. We would hate to have issues or fines.
Thanks so much
~kathasaurus very proud keeper of 22 hens, 1 rooster, 2 dogs, 1 cat and a husband

 

[Sillystunt]

I have never had a search entering texas and i have traveled cross country 4 times with a truck(full with hose items , towing a car full of plants and i had animals) and 5 times in a car

 

[BarkerChickens]

I would recommend calling the TX state dept of agriculture. Not sure about crossing into AZ and NM (and NV depending on your route). You may need to call them as well. I know that when I was looking into moving to ID, they required that the birds be tested for MG and salmonella before entering the state.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Depending on the time of day and who knows what other factors, you may be stopped coming into Az. Neither New Mexico nor Texas have entry stations like Az and California do. However, Texas has very strict rules regarding livestock and poultry, so definitely check on the requirements beforehand. I do know that Texas is considered a closed state for showing--you cannot bring a bird in from out of state to show there. They also have very strict rules on testing and such. I'm a native Texan, but I would never want to live there again--too many restrictions and rules. What ever happened to freedom?

 

[KDbeads]

I drove a truck full of animals into TX when we moved here, no one cared! We passed plenty of officers who could have stopped us and our Indiana plates, all 7 carriers were plainly visible to anyone looking at the truck.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I guess you could try to move them "under the radar"... but do you want to chance losing them?

I don't know about the other states, but here is the website for Texas Animal Health Commission. http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/
Click on Statutes and Regulations, then on Entry Requirements. Click on: For Entry of Livestock (Domestic and Exotic), Poultry and Ratites into the State and into Shows, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Assemblies
On page 8 & 9 are the requirements for poultry entering into Texas.

If you want to talk to someone, call 1-800-550-8242 and ask to speak to Steven Luna. He is a very nice man. He will answer your questions, and if he doesn't know, he will find out and call you back.

On the TAHC website, if you click on Animal Links, scroll down, there is a list of US State Animal Health Agencies. This should help you.

Jean

 

[kathasaurus]

Thank you SOOOO very much for the information folks.
We really do appreciate the help!

 

[Big C]

Quote:
What??? Where did you live here?

 

[Teach97]

There is a bird show in Amarillo, TX...buddies from CO go there all the time. California and Arizona are going to be your real issues. With small flocks and such there are not real issues. I have hauled birds numerous times as well and not had problems. There are parts of the state that are closed to the movement of cattle w/o records and checks but that has to do with outbreaks of some diseases. Having said all that...it is still best to double check and if at all possible get your flock NPIP certified...that will solve most of your issues.

 

[Big C]

Your best bet would be to call the Texas Department of Agriculture or TDA:
http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/index/0,1911,1848_0_0_0,00.html
about importing livestock into Texas.

The previous comment about restrictions and rules is somewhat a misnomer. There are regulations for commerce as in any state. If you are moving here as a BYC owner mostly it depends on the city or county. Where are you moving to? I can try and help find some info for you.