Moving

[FloweredHemlock]

I'm not sure if this is the right area to post this but whatever.
But I live in Arizona, my birds were born and raised here. But I'm moving somewhere VERY cold and very different from here and it's a 2-3 day drive. I've never moved more then a few dogs, and now I have 14 feathered friends to take with me. Literally any advice would be welcome, this is totally out of my depth.

 

[50-45-1]

It would be helpful to know what breeds you have and your destination.
For the most part, chickens can and do exist in all types of weather conditions.
Type of coop and special concerns will have to be taken into consideration.
Some might agree that frizzle and sulky breeds do not have cold tolerance like smooth feathered breeds
Feathered feet and rose combed breeds do quite better in below freezing temperatures
Most standard breed chickens do quite well everywhere though.
I had a small oegb bantam (Caramel Cream)that nestled under the feathers of the larger girls in winter. It was so cute!

 

[Stravager]

Transporting chickens: you want something that they can't escape from, can't attempt flying in, can stand and move in comfortably, with no way to get injured from stabs or cuts, in a well-ventilated place and protected from drafts/chill/rain. Not in the trunk, and not in blasting hot sun, with access to water or at least watered frequently. Dog carriers work well, and you can put them inside the vehicle too. What's comfortable for you is likely comfortable for the chickens when it comes to being driven around.
If there's an extreme and immediate temperature difference to where you're moving to then I would suggest giving them time to acclimate - a heat lamp inside a garage before going outdoors or such, same as you would acclimate chicks... Arizona can get quite cold in the winter though, so I would think that they'd be pretty used to cold already?

 

[Brooks_]

Have you looked at the Ag laws regarding crossing state lines? I would advise to rehome existing flock and start anew.

 

[Stravager]

Have you looked at the Ag laws regarding crossing state lines? I would advise to rehome existing flock and start anew.

It depends on the State, I think.
https://www.nasda.org/about-nasda/state-agriculture-departments/ has contacts for all the departments I think; they should be able to answer questions about poultry.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-I/subchapter-C has the rules about transporting animals across State lines.
This site had some helpful tips on transporting: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/heed-rules-if-transporting-chickens-across-state-lines/
A lot of it depends on how bad Avian Flu is from area to area...

 

[FloweredHemlock]

Transporting chickens: you want something that they can't escape from, can't attempt flying in, can stand and move in comfortably, with no way to get injured from stabs or cuts, in a well-ventilated place and protected from drafts/chill/rain. Not in the trunk, and not in blasting hot sun, with access to water or at least watered frequently. Dog carriers work well, and you can put them inside the vehicle too. What's comfortable for you is likely comfortable for the chickens when it comes to being driven around.
If there's an extreme and immediate temperature difference to where you're moving to then I would suggest giving them time to acclimate - a heat lamp inside a garage before going outdoors or such, same as you would acclimate chicks... Arizona can get quite cold in the winter though, so I would think that they'd be pretty used to cold already?

It would be helpful to know what breeds you have and your destination.
For the most part, chickens can and do exist in all types of weather conditions.
Type of coop and special concerns will have to be taken into consideration.
Some might agree that frizzle and sulky breeds do not have cold tolerance like smooth feathered breeds
Feathered feet and rose combed breeds do quite better in below freezing temperatures
Most standard breed chickens do quite well everywhere though.
I had a small oegb bantam (Caramel Cream)that nestled under the feathers of the larger girls in winter. It was so cute!

Uh, 4 of them I don't know as they were from a friends mixed flock but I have a black star who I know will be fine but I also have 4 Easter eggers, 4 blue australorps, and a Onagadori rooster. The only one who's built for cold is my black star.

 

[Mrs. K]

Really strongly consider selling them. Chickens hate change. This is going to be highly stressful no matter how you do it, and that will often bring out a disease. They are not going to be happy, and will probably quit laying and may go into an early molt. Let alone the environmental change

Legally these are considered livestock and there are serious laws to protect peoples animals. That needs to be done correctly for each state you travel through. Please do not think you can sneak through, diseases are nothing to laugh at.

Then, do you have a coop set up for them to go into immediately? If not, this is going to cause you a lot of stress, trying to get everything done.

If you sell them, you can take a lot of the stuff with you, and when you get there, get settled in. Then you can set up a new flock. In six months you have birds that are healthy, acclimated to the weather.

14 birds would be a nice flock for someone. Sell them is your best bet.

 

[FloweredHemlock]

Really strongly consider selling them. Chickens hate change. This is going to be highly stressful no matter how you do it, and that will often bring out a disease. They are not going to be happy, and will probably quit laying and may go into an early molt. Let alone the environmental change

Legally these are considered livestock and there are serious laws to protect peoples animals. That needs to be done correctly for each state you travel through. Please do not think you can sneak through, diseases are nothing to laugh at.

Then, do you have a coop set up for them to go into immediately? If not, this is going to cause you a lot of stress, trying to get everything done.

If you sell them, you can take a lot of the stuff with you, and when you get there, get settled in. Then you can set up a new flock. In six months you have birds that are healthy, acclimated to the weather.

14 birds would be a nice flock for someone. Sell them is your best bet.

I hate that your right, I was just hoping there was even a slight chance of keeping them. Thank you for laying it all out like that.

 

[Brooks_]

I was just hoping there was even a slight chance of keeping them.

There is a slim, outside chance. But selling/giving away will be easiest for you and best for the birds. I am sorry. I do understand; I would miss my flock.

 

[creggy]

I am in the similar situation now.