Please advise with transport

[McChooky]

A horse trailer would work as long as you have something big enough to pull it.You'd have to put the chickens in crates on the floor

 

[Debbie292d]

IM being ready to move from Maine to Texas. I'm renting a uhaul, I've done all the NPIP and CVIs and such from the state of Maine, with the vet coordinating with the state of Texas.
Now i find my stock-trailer rental fell through.
So. The odd part. I know certain van lines have restrictions about animals in the back of a moving van. I have (younger and much dumber many years ago) transferred animals across multiple states back in the day in the back of a cargo van. They were fine! Frequent stops, etc.
I'm wondering now about my girls in comfortable carriers secured in the back, stopping every 2-3 hours for water and health checks and fresh air.
I worked hard to get these girls. Not particularly rare, but hard to get, like TRUE Mystic Marans and 1st gen Americaunas, mille fleur d'uccles, etc, and I didn't want to start all over again with a new flock, but am having serious second thoughts about the potential legal ramifications. Because of the expiration of the certs, I'm time constricted and can't find another trailer. Or any one willing to travel that far.
NO- I'm not UNconcerned about my girls health and safety and comfort. That part is easily controlled. I've done this before, i know i stop often (I'm old) and i will have them secured against cargo shifting, etc.

Any advice on this topic of legality? I've researched until I'm blue in the face and can't find anything if relevance to this specific issue except they must be let out after 28 hours for exercise. And that's mostly for large livestock. I've looked over these types of posts here as well but they are outdated or not on point with what i need.

I honestly can't imagine you being randomly stopped or checked in between states as long as you don't speed. If you were, it would mostly be to be sure they were being hauled humanely.

In many states, such as ours, NPIP certification is only needed for exhibitions/shows, or if shipping chicks into our state. Since you have that, there isn't much more any state requires and you could certainly google the state requirements for each state you are passing through, but I think you are more than fine as you are.

The huge issues with records, certifications, and vaccinations would be if you were going to Canada, Mexico, etc., ie. out of the country to another.

 

[McChooky]

Thank you. Very kind. It ma they tters, and i appreciate the sympathy.

The only reason you can't use a Uhaul is for liability reasons.The lack ventilation for live animals.Use your own trailer with tags and lights

 

[McChooky]

This is a DIY trailer.He has an ingenious idea on how to make removable sides for a trailer (cattle panels) Skip forward to 10 minute mark to get to the actual build.If I was transporting animals a long distance I would attach black landscape fabric on the sides to block any wind and rain off of the animals.I'd also put a tarp on top (No one will see the birds inside with the fabric and tarp)

 

[McChooky]

Cheap DIY livestock transport crate fits a standard pallet. 4 can fit on a big work truck .1 easily fits a small truck.Personally I like this idea because you can use the crates for a temp coop until you make one

 

[McChooky]

Skip forward to 4:50 This transport cage fits in the bed of a truck

 

[McChooky]

I have 34 hens of varying breeds. The shame is, up here it's hard to get the ones you really want. Hoping for better selection down south. I was in a couple waiting lists for over six months for plain old mystic marans. The upright tail, blue- black kind. And mille fleur? Forget it. 1st gen Americaunas? Uhm... yeah. Not so easy. I've looked at local southern hatcheries and feel pretty optimistic. My daughter is a great farmer, so i know my girls will be well cared for here, too. And perhaps when I'm back for her college graduation I'll have better luck with a trailer.
I appreciate all the well- wishes!

Taking some now and some later sounds like a great plan! Moving animals in the back of a moving van to Texas would be okay in cooler temps because the animals wouldn't overheat .Opening the doors periodically provides them all the fresh air they'd need.Be sure to keep us updated and let us know how the move goes!!