Moving with 7 chickens

[GW02]

So I am going to be moving from CA to CO soon, it’s about a 20-22 hour drive. My main question is would it be safe to have all of them (2 roosters, 5 hens) in a 42” dog crate or if I should separate them into smaller groups, they will probably be around 3 months at the time so they won’t be too big yet. Also if I should have feed/ water available the whole trip or just offer it during stops? stops will be every 2-4 hours and we won’t be stopping for the night.

 

[Mellowmalt]

I dunno never done this, hope it goes well, I would focus on keeping them secure in transit and feed and water them during stops. Make sure none escape - like no chance of escaping - if one runs off at the petrol station that won't be good.

 

[DobieLover]

So I am going to be moving from CA to CO soon, it’s about a 20-22 hour drive. My main question is would it be safe to have all of them (2 roosters, 5 hens) in a 42” dog crate or if I should separate them into smaller groups, they will probably be around 3 months at the time so they won’t be too big yet. Also if I should have feed/ water available the whole trip or just offer it during stops? stops will be every 2-4 hours and we won’t be stopping for the night.

No. Putting them all in one crate would not be good.
They aren't going to be that small at 12 weeks.
They should have food and water with them for the trip.
You shouldn't try to keep 2 cockerels with just 5 pullets so to make it a wee tad easier, I'd try to re-home one of the boys before the trip.
Spread a large old sheet or blanket down over the cargo area to catch poop splatter and bedding kicked out of the crates. It'll make cleaning up easier.
I'd also have a bottle of Corid on hand at your new home as they will be exposed to new strains of coccidia oocysts to which they will have no immunity. Be on the lookout for symptoms of coccidiosis once you get them settled in the first few weeks.
Have a safe trip.

 

[aart]

What kind of vehicle are you using to transport the birds?

Keep the crates level.
Would be good if they used horizontal nipples.
Keep in mind if you get caught moving birds across state lines without the proper paperwork it can get you in trouble with agricultural authorities.

 

[GW02]

What kind of vehicle are you using to transport the birds?

Keep the crates level.
Would be good if they used horizontal nipples.
Keep in mind if you get caught moving birds across state lines without the proper paperwork it can get you in trouble with agricultural authorities.

It’s gonna be an SUV.

No. Putting them all in one crate would not be good.
They aren't going to be that small at 12 weeks.
They should have food and water with them for the trip.
You shouldn't try to keep 2 cockerels with just 5 pullets so to make it a wee tad easier, I'd try to re-home one of the boys before the trip.
Spread a large old sheet or blanket down over the cargo area to catch poop splatter and bedding kicked out of the crates. It'll make cleaning up easier.
I'd also have a bottle of Corid on hand at your new home as they will be exposed to new strains of coccidia oocysts to which they will have no immunity. Be on the lookout for symptoms of coccidiosis once you get them settled in the first few weeks.
Have a safe trip.

I will try to rehome one of them, but in the case I can’t in time would 2 cardboard boxes with holes work? 3 in one box 4 in the other. They seem to stay in that type of grouping even in the coop now. I’ll make sure to get Corid too. Thanks to all for the help.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Keep in mind if you get caught moving birds across state lines without the proper paperwork it can get you in trouble with agricultural authorities.

Repeating what Aart said, for emphasis. Saying it myself in BOLD

MOVING UNTESTED POULTRY ACROSS STATE LINES IS DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE.

...and I say that as someone with strong libertarian (little "l", not the Party) leanings who is not generally inclined to look fondly upon Gov't regulations (though I've helped write them at times).

California recently had problems with vND (virulent Newcastle Disease). It required roughly two years to get it under control. And the destruction of a lot of birds - more than one million. Efforts were hampered by irresponsible, ignorant, and/or uncaring individuals rehoming or otherwise transporting birds across State lines for the bird's protection and/or as the beloved family pet - at risk to all the other birds then exposed.

No matter how well meaning, how loved your poultry may be to your family, transporting without testing is like pulling your grand parent from a diseased nursing home and placing them in another, with nary a word of warning to the new neighbors - only instead of risking a small number of human lives, you risk the well being of potentially millions of birds, the happiness of other owners in a broad geographic area, and the livelihoods of those who rely on commercial flocks.

Don't do this. Get tested.

(Separately, it sounds like you have little resources for transporting the birds in what will no doubt be a stressful move for the whole family, birds included. Recommend a few minutes with the family for a serious sit down with a goal of rehoming the entire flock, and replacing them when you've settled in at your new location. Have you even checked zoning there, to see if chicken keeping is allowed?)

 

[U_Stormcrow]

...and I see from another post you have 7 birds obtained in March from TSC, of unknown breed, but most likely not what the employee at the counter related. That has me even more strongly leaning towards the rehoming and replacement recommendation. Its not like these are a prized genetic line of great rarity, or prize-winning birds valued for their potential progeny.

I love my hatchery birds (also from TSC), and they are cute (my wife says so) at that age, but they are most definitely replaceable.

 

[WhySayWhat]

Rehome the flock ASAP and once settled in your new home (with proper housing ready for a flock to move into), get new chicks/birds. Take time to research local hatcheries and breeds you really want. Also, do you know the chicken keeping laws in your new area? They may be very different from where you're coming from, you don't want to get there only to find out you aren't allowed to have ANY!

 

[GW02]

...and I see from another post you have 7 birds obtained in March from TSC, of unknown breed, but most likely not what the employee at the counter related. That has me even more strongly leaning towards the rehoming and replacement recommendation. Its not like these are a prized genetic line of great rarity, or prize-winning birds valued for their potential progeny.

I love my hatchery birds (also from TSC), and they are cute (my wife says so) at that age, but they are most definitely replaceable.

The breeds are known now. I wasn’t aware of the disease which is my bad for lack of research, I will definitely be looking into it and into testing. I am quite bonded with them however if the testing isn’t an option for me I will definitely rehome to keep others safe. And yes chickens are allowed at the new location.

 

[aart]

would 2 cardboard boxes with holes work?

Not for that long, get crates.