So I live in North Carolina and and have 4 hens all of them laying. I was just wondering how do you move them? We are moving to Ohio in a week and was wondering if the climate change would bother them it's still 60s -70s in North Carolina and like 30s-50s in Ohio . Also do you feed them and give them water when you stop or put treats in there cage to keep them busy? It's about a 9-10 hour drive. Also one more thing how do you guys heat your coops? Thank you
We don't heat our coops. Healthy chickens need no heat. On some days when it has been in the 70s and all of a sudden drops into the 20s in a few hours the chickens don't come outside much the first day. I wouldn't worry about those temp differences. I would avoid putting them in the trunk of a car due to possible exhaust leak. Make sure they have had some food and water before you put them in the vehicle. It would also be good to give them at least some water once or twice during the trip.
If your chickens have access to a well-ventilated draft-free coop they will be fine. That is a bit of a temperature change, but if they have shelter they will acclimate quickly. I'm in MN and don't heat my coops at all. The closest thing they have to heat is heated water dishes in the winter.
People who take birds to shows travel with them all the time. That distance isn't too awful bad. This time of year is ideal because it isn't 10F as might be in winter and isn't 90F as it might be in summer. Here's what I do. I do not feed them or water them on the road. It's too much trouble. The birds can go 24 hours without food or water, no problem. If you transport them in cardboard boxes, with lots of air holes, they'll be just fine. Mostly they sleep if the box is relatively dark. If they eat and drink well the day before, they'll be just fine. You can go into the coop and pick them off the roost, one by one. Don't wake up the whole bunch. I use a hat light just so I can see a little bit. Once they're boxed up, it is time to go. If you're making the drive in one day, which I assume you are, you need to know there is a kennel awaiting on the other end. You'll want to free them from the boxes, allow them to eat and drink and settle down. This is done all the time. I'm glad you're going to take your birds with you. Best wishes for a safe transition. PS- I carry the bird boxes under the tonneau of my pickup. The stench is pretty strong if you carry them inside the passenger compartment. Just sayin'. To each his own. LOL You'd be surprised how many times they can poop in 8-12 hours.
Thank you all so much for the replies it helps alot. In the winter in Ohio it does get pretty cold and lots of snow but there coops will be nice and draft free
