Need ideas on transporting ten chickens on short notice

[Pukkits]

Hello chicken friends,
Today did not go as planned. A wildfire started yesterday morning and has spread closer to our home. We are now in phase 1 "Get Ready" evacuation notice. While the amazing firefighters are absolute champions (so much done in 24 hours!), I'm making detailed plans in case I get the "go" notice.
This spring we went from two hens to ten, and I realized my "poke some holes in a small Home Depot box, add chickens, fold lid, go" plan won't fit so many birds. Even if we aren't called to evacuate for this fire, it's always possible in the future.

I'm looking for ideas, on a budget, for transportation in a car of ten hens (9 orpingtons of various colors, 1 barred rock). My thought as to easy to store containers is five small Home Depot boxes (two birds each) which could quickly have the bottom taped and holes poked for air. Hens will only be in transport less than an hour (loading, 30 mins of travel, unloading). Our evacuation site is my parents, where an old tent in their garage can contain the birds at night(to prevent hens roosting all over the garage), and an old dog run (low fence for birds, but will work supervised) for day activities. If we will be there a bit, I can MacGyver a scrap wood house and run improvements.

Does anyone have other inspired ideas on how to transport ten hens without ruining car upholstery? Ideas on setting up temporary chicken housing?

 

[Rose the Legbar]

Any large cardboard boxes can also work perfectly. I have seen people also use random plastic boxes with holes in it. Honestly, anything that they can breathe in and fit in somewhat comfortably will work in a rush. Your temporary hen setup at your parents’ sounds actually really good. Make sure to bring food for them as well! Hoping you guys will be safe and the firefighters will have the fire controlled. Wishing you guys the best.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh wow, sorry to hear about your situation and really hope you do not have to bug out at all, let alone at short notice. However, if you do, can you get your hands on a good-sized dog crate? You may be able to stuff almost all the birds in there in an emergency. Lay sheets on the car upholstery, those can be washed. It won't be awesome for the birds but shouldn't hurt them if it's short-term. For 30 mnutes they should be okay.

 

[Anon112]

Would your car accommodate a medium sized dog cage/kennel? Then lay a blanket or tarp underneath so they don't mess up the car seats?

 

[Pukkits]

Oh wow, sorry to hear about your situation and really hope you do not have to bug out at all, let alone at short notice. However, if you do, can you get your hands on a good-sized dog crate? You may be able to stuff almost all the birds in there in an emergency. Lay sheets on the car upholstery, those can be washed. It won't be awesome for the birds but shouldn't hurt them if it's short-term. For 30 mnutes they should be okay.

Unfortunately I don't think I can fit a crate in my car with everyone and everything else. If I get an evacuation notice while my husband is at work, I need to fit 50lbs of dog (thankfully chicken/pet friendly) whose crate won't fit, a cat (who will be yelling from her carrier) and the house rabbit, their stuff, plus human stuff into my small SUV. I was thinking smaller boxes means I can fit small boxes of cluck in different areas of the car, as they fit, instead of trying to fit one big box of cluck.
A dog transport crate like they use for air travel would certainly be sturdy though, and could be an impromptu hen house during our stay elsewhere. I'll see if I can find one used, as if my husband is home we'd have vehicle space. Good idea for future event chicken transport.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ooh, did not realize you would have a whole menagerie. Well, how about this, then. Rather than wait until it's a crisis, move everyone you can ahead of time? Can parents pet sit until crisis is averted or you join them?

 

[Finnie]

I think your idea to use smallish cardboard boxes is an excellent one. That is often how I send chickens home with people who buy them from me.

 

[Pukkits]

Ooh, did not realize you would have a whole menagerie. Well, how about this, then. Rather than wait until it's a crisis, move everyone you can ahead of time? Can parents pet sit until crisis is averted or you join them?

This would be ideal, but for the timing. Unfortunately they are out of town for several more days. I'm averse to commuting to take care of my animals at their home as it's going to stress the heck out of our cat, the dog needs to be let out four times a day at least (she's primarily indoor, as she's allergic to basically all of our local flora) and though our little old bunny would probably enjoy the adventure, she has to be medicated twice a day for her arthritis. The proposed run for the chickens is only a 4' fence, which is fine supervised as my fluffy butted orps don't fly, but isn't enough protection from even a dog. I'm trying to stay home as much as I can, as I fear being told to evacuate while I'm not at home, as emergency personnel can prevent people from going into an evacuation area, even for pets. If my folks were home, their furry grandkids would be having a sleepover.

 

[SnackMeat]

I'm pretty sure last time I saw someone running from the CA wildfires they took towels and burrito'd their chickens up with their heads sticking out and laid them across the backseat.

I would add some tape. And have whoever is in the backseat have some worms to occasionally give.

From what I recall they all saved their poops for when they were finally released from their burrito wraps.

 

[SnackMeat]

I was wrong. It was a hurricane and they used newspaper.

https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-of-chickens-evacuating-hurricane-irma-2017-9