Need advice on moving with my chickens — SoCal to Seattle

[ShannonR]

When we travel, we 'camp' in Walmart parking lots. Lots of people do this, RV-ers, and truckers and people sleeping in their cars. We've seen a truck w a horse in its trailer staying overnight, so bringing livestock does happen. Walmart, unless restricted by county/city ordinance, welcomes the extra business this brings.

Great idea!

 

[aart]

I would be concerned about temperature and ventilation in back of a uhaul(trailer/truck?)
And the mess they'll make over three 24 hour cycles...
....could be a hell of a clean up fee .

 

[PirateGirl]

I have found that plastic is slippery for chickens and ducks. If you are transporting them in a dog crate with a plastic floor or in a plastic tote or something, put a towel down, otherwise they will be slipping and sliding every time you drive around a corner.

Birds have a way of pooping through any wire openings. Be prepared for this.

I know someone else mentioned the smell, but I have to mention it again. I did approximately an hour trip with 4 ducks in the back of my SUV, that's it, and I'm pretty sure my car smelled for a week.

 

[123RedBeard]

Rent a utility trailer like this ... https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/5x8-Utility-Trailer-Rental/AO/

Put a couple of large dog crates in it, put a piece of plywood on top, strap it down ... DRIVE.

If it's gonna be rainy ... Pacific North WET ... ... plywood or tarp on front and/or sides ...

 

[PirateGirl]

Rent a utility trailer like this ... https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/5x8-Utility-Trailer-Rental/AO/

Put a couple of large dog crates in it, put a piece of plywood on top, strap it down ... DRIVE.

If it's gonna be rainy ... Pacific North WET ... ... plywood or tarp on front and/or sides ...

This is similar to what I was planning for a move... other thoughts would be to use the plastic dog crates so they are more protected from the elements. I was actually thinking of chopping the legs off my raised coop and strapping the whole thing to a trailer with the birds inside.

 

[Abriana]

Cover crates with blankets or sheets to keep the birds calm. I don't think that the uhaul trailer at night idea would be so great--ventilation, smell, and mess are all problems. Are you transporting the coop as well? Even a relatively small one or a crude DIY coop for the trip could work. If you have a truck just put it in the back with combination locks on the doors to keep other people out (the coop doors) and put them in there at night.

 

[123RedBeard]

I was actually thinking of chopping the legs off my raised coop and strapping the whole thing to a trailer with the birds inside.

Why cut off the legs?

As long as it will fit under the bridges, you should be good to go ... all the hwy's are atleast 13'6" clearance ...

 

[PirateGirl]

I have this comical disastrous vision of you opening the slide up door of a uhaul and all the chickens flying out frantic and escaping at a gas station or something.

 

[PirateGirl]

Why cut off the legs?

As long as it will fit under the bridges, you should be good to go ... all the hwy's are atleast 13'6" clearance ...

I was thinking it would ride better in the trailer being shorter, also because of the way the current foundation/fencing is buried it would probably be easier to remove it from its existing site that way.

 

[aart]

Rent a utility trailer like this ... https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/5x8-Utility-Trailer-Rental/AO/

Put a couple of large dog crates in it, put a piece of plywood on top, strap it down ... DRIVE.

If it's gonna be rainy ... Pacific North WET ... ... plywood or tarp on front and/or sides ...

Link doesn't go to a specific trailer......but are you suggesting an open trailer covered with plywood and tarps, for 3 days of highway speeds and 2 nights in a parking lot?