Recommendation in moving an entire flock 1700 miles

[SteveBaz]

they'reHISchickens :

Just a thought from an old farm gal...
I'd worry bout not enough ventilation almost as much as too much draft. It's my understanding that commercial haulers of animals have a system of not stopping once animals are loaded in order to keep air moving through the packed load.
Also, rather than giving them lots of room, they can brace themselves against movement easier in a tighter pack.
So while you are creating your moving coop ( which we all expect to see pictures of), I'd suggest a small very-ventilated enclosure for actual traveling with an outer enclosed area for them to move around in and eat/drink during rest stops. Small area for 10 hens=2x5=10 square feet? Yes, it's small but they can brace against one another if you have to hit the hooks. I'd make it all only 12 inches high and forget the roost during travel. Again-- very ventilated--screened on at least one side. Put the solid area into the wind. And put this on one the end of a3x5 area for exercise/food when you stop. Make some provision for scooting them back into the travel area when they are finished eating.
This doesn't sound very luxurious but your concern should be safety if there is a problem during travel. Higher coop means a pileup if they all slide to one side. Too much room means more room to slide in a fast stop. We all can tolerate a bit of discomfort for the sake of safety for a relatively short time of a few days. Think Seat belts.
Good luck!

they'reHISchickens
Thanks for the little feedback that has a lot of sense. You said it. Even though I have a Class "A" Driver License that entitles me to drive a BIG RIG its a bit over kill. I think my best choice in this case is to put the girls in the back of the pickup bed of my truck in crates. After thinking about it, it will be one of the best choices to make for the girls sake. First the truck is a 1 ton diesel with a crew cab and the pickup bed is of course a full size bed that has a cap on it and the side windows can be cracked or the area that goes from the crew cab of the trucks driving and interior area to the back of the pickup will create enough air in the back for ventilation. The other reason is it can also haul my wife's car either with a tow hitch or a trailer for cars or a dolly for cars. Another reason is it would be a good choice for easy access to the girls if they need to be checked on in the event we are broken down or anything. Then I can still drive a 26' U-Haul with a trailer for all the garage stuff that includes tools, rolla-way for tools, garden equipment, mowers and such that will not be effected by rain or severe weather. I get that it is easy as it goes. When I hauled commercially for Costco for SWIFT Transportation you learn easy as you go and that is the trick. The other thing is that if I heard it right the OP that commented were in a time constraint where we have no time from at all and can go at the speed that we deem fit. We will be going in a convoy of the U-Haul truck with trailer, my diesel truck with my wife's car in tow and then my daughter will be going bc she still lives with us at 26 and at 60 I am still rearing her with my wife and raising our grand baby with and for her bc she is still struggling with cervical cancer and she has been clean now for 8 months Thank you LORD for answered prayers!!!​

 

[Anna_MN]

I have helped a friend move chickens before, but not nearly 30+ hours. I used an XL dog crate with hay in the bottom. I was able to fit 5 Rhode Island Red adult hens comfortably in the crate for a 6 hour drive. They could get up and walk around if they wanted and they were able to lay down. They seemed to like it. And dog crates are meant for the transportation of animals so they are sturdy, ventillated, and easy to clean later. Hope this helps a little bit!

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
Haven't moved chickens but moved 13 horses, 4 large dogs, an arena's worth of panels, a tractor and a whole bunch of farm equipment. Let's not forget the cat. Twice. From OK to WA state and back. I know you can move 10 chickens!
Oh, and we bought raw land, not a house both times, lived in an RV, while I did my medical internship and then my active duty commitment for the army.
It was insane.
My new husband is sane and our retirement move will be much more sane, although we'll still have quite a few animals to move.

 

[Lollipop]

I`m one of those short movers. Only about 600 miles, but in the heat of summer. I did it at night. Had 7 geese in a big dog crate and about 12 chickens in boxes. I was fortunate enough to have a 24` enclosed trailer and an open PU tow vehicle. All the animals went in the truck bed, along with several 3x3 temporary pens. The chickens were boxed in cardboard since we only traveled about 12 hours. It`s important to have temporary pens for the day after you arrive. because of all the other distractions, the temporary pens should be adequate for several days. I don`t envey your endeavor at all, but I wish you lotsa luck......Pop

 

[jenjscott]

I haven't traveled that far, but gone to shows, and individual boxes necessary for shows is more stressful. I made the cap and repurposed this old trailer to haul show boxes, however, since then it has hauled multiple birds loose in it and used it as a temporary coop quite successfully. It can be closed up pretty tight with tarps for travel or bad weather, or opened up for good ventilation when it gets hot.

 

[SteveBaz]

NICE!! feedback guys and thanks. Like I said this is all predicated on work. I have always had work I could get and my wife could get locally but now it seems you go to the job.

Anyway we all do what we need to do. This is an insane move if it happens in the first quarter of the year or not its great planning. Better to get ideas now than to be on the week or the month and under the gun to get it together then.