Moving with chickens..?!

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

Hello,
We are moving in a few months to another state, about a two and a half hour drive from where I live now. We’re bringing our 7 hens and one rooster, but I’m not really sure how to go about moving them...
specifically how to get them from here to there. I’m sure there are a few good ways better than others to transfer chickens, though I’ve never had to move my whole flock before. This time is much different than when I brought them home as tiny day-old chicks!
Can i somehow makeshift the back of our car to be a temporary coop for them?? Or should they be in a smaller space..
also I’m sort of worried about our rooster.. he loves to crow at the slightest hint of danger, so if we took him in a moving vehicle he would probably crow the whole time
Suggestions are very much appreciated!!

 

[BlueBaby]

Can you put them in a couple of those large dog crates? Put some type of padding or something under the crates to catch the poop. You can throw a blanket over the the crate that the rooster is in like they do with parrots to make it a bit darker so he can go to sleep.

 

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

That’s a good idea, I only have one crate right now so I’ll see if any friends have another

 

[Folly's place]

Dog crates work very well for transporting your birds. Mine are very quiet any time they travel in the car, so don't worry about noise. A towel over the crate, so it's darker, will help, only if necessary.
Crossing state lines with poultry is not the same as taking your pet dog or cat. Check into any requirements that may need to be met soon! The birds may at least need NPIP testing, and things can change fast, if there's an avian disease outbreak either where you are, or at your new place.
Your veterinarian is a resource for information, and the USDA, by phone is best.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Please do follow the state laws.

And do the move in the dark.

 

[aart]

Crates are good, make sure they are level.
Will the coop be ready once you get there?

Yes, you might want to check for state laws for transporting live animals across state lines.

 

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

Yes the coop will be ready.
Also yes it’s legal to move them where we’re going

 

[cate1124]

If at all possible, move when the hens are NOT in production, or at least after everyone you anticipate will lay on moving day has already laid. I learned the hard way -- in transporting hens from one home to another over the summer -- that the stress can cause them to retain eggs and lead to salpingitis, which can kill them. My homes were three days apart, though, and this should not be a problem in a 2.5-hour drive, but as a precaution, it's best if they are not wanting to lay while you are driving. So perhaps take them late in the day, and get them immediately in their new coop upon arrival?

Otherwise, make sure they don't overheat on the journey, and you might offer them water once in transit.

I used two wire crates, bedded them on pine shavings, offered food and water at rest stops.

Good luck!

 

[turkey girl 0964]

My husband and I made a turkey/chicken/rabbit trailer when we moved. It held 15 chickens. We got an old trailer bed and framed it so that we could add chicken wire to the outside and made a door. Best project we have ever made. It even has a automatic waterer so that they can drink.

 

[TheDuckGuy]

Hello,
We are moving in a few months to another state, about a two and a half hour drive from where I live now. We’re bringing our 7 hens and one rooster, but I’m not really sure how to go about moving them...
specifically how to get them from here to there. I’m sure there are a few good ways better than others to transfer chickens, though I’ve never had to move my whole flock before. This time is much different than when I brought them home as tiny day-old chicks!
Can i somehow makeshift the back of our car to be a temporary coop for them?? Or should they be in a smaller space..
also I’m sort of worried about our rooster.. he loves to crow at the slightest hint of danger, so if we took him in a moving vehicle he would probably crow the whole time
Suggestions are very much appreciated!!

You probably can fit 4 and 4 in two big enough crates