Moving With Poultry

[critterhaven]

We are a non-profit farm animal rescue located on the Olympic Peninsula of WA. state. We are going to be relocating to the Ozarks in the spring. Currently we are home to many chickens, domestic ducks & geese. We are trying to find GOOD new homes for a number of them. Most of the chickens are in small "family" units consisting of 1 or 2 roos & some hens. We want to keep these little individual groups together. Quite a few of the hens are older, beyond laying years, so they need a home just as pets. We also have some other farm animals that we are trying to re-home ( primarily pot belly pigs ! ). Also, we would very much like to take some of the birds with us, but are unsure how they would fare on such a long trip. Does anyone have any thoughts on this ? Has anyone ever moved cross country with poultry ? We would appreciate any ideas or suggestions regarding safe, comfortable transport. If you are interested in more info. re. "adoptions" , please let us know. You can also visit our website for more info. - www.critterhavenfarmsanctuary.org
Thanks a lot !

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

To move you will need some great boxes with air holes cut in or dog crates. A few weeks before the move get the chickens used to fruit treats if they are not already. Melons and grapes are good. Then on moving day throw into the crates the fruit treat and add the chickens in family units. If any are agressive to others pack them alone. Along the way add more fruit as needed, that will be both their food and water supply. When you get there put the crates in the pen they are to live in and open the door. Don't force them out let them come out on thier own. Have regular feed and water there and in a few hours throw out scratch grains or fruit treats if they have not ventured out on thier own. I tend to leave the box or crate till they don't need if for security. Roosters are much harder to move, they stress it way more so best not to seperate them from their hens. Hens take it well generally unless they have a brood. Try and aviod them having chicks for the move date, or seperate them well in advance.

 

[V Chic Chick]

You could ask www.farmsanctuary.org to take them, and you can also post on the Buy, Sell, Trade board.