Rooster transportation advice

[rockersj]

We've had chickens (small urban farm style) for several years but this year we got hatching eggs and ended up with six roosters. We are new to having roosters and I won't lie, I might have a phobia. They scare me. But regardless, it's time for processing. We have a local farmer who is willing to do it but we need to transport them to the big farm. We tried moving them into a dog crate during the day but the big rooster got aggressive and freaked everyone out. Our next plan is to get a couple crates, move the big guy by himself, and transport them at night. Any other advice? Thanks for your help!

 

[orloffer]

Maybe covering the crate with a towel or something so that he can't see out? I don't know if that would actually work, but maybe...

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Right, have two crates, and separate the aggressive one.
Do you have an appointment there? Usually you want to withhold food for a few hours, so their crops are empty. Besides that, less time in the crate is good.
Use shavings or old towels as footing in the crates, and shade, no overheating.
Mary

 

[aart]

and transport them at night

You can crate them at night, easier to 'catch' them off the roost after dark, then transport in the morning.

 

[NatJ]

Chickens just do freak at first. The crate is unfamiliar. And they want to find a way out. And then you start to move it. Having something move while they are IN it is just unthinkable, and the get quite upset--briefly.

But they usually settle down fairly soon if the crate is just sitting there.
And when the crate is moving, they get upset right at first and then settle down again.

Crating the aggressive one separately makes sense.
Catching/crating them at night makes sense.
But for the moving, just take them where they need to go, when they need to go. They really will settle down faster if you just do it.

 

[SueT]

Having an extra crate or some kind of cage will help and it will always be useful in the future. I pick them up at thrift stores cheap so I have several options on hand. I understand your wanting to have the chickens calm, but they are going to their slaughter after all. I cover the crates with big towels in the vehicle, so they are in darkness, ignore the fuss, and they settle down pretty quickly. Moving them in the daytime is no problem this way.

 

[bhawk-23]

How did the move go? I am researching because we are in the same situation. We have to move 6-7 flighty roosters and are unsure of what to do. I'm a bit anxious to be honest. Do you have any advice?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

As stated in this thread and others you easiest method of "catching" the birds is off the roost at night. Put them in crate at night and transport it in morning or just grab them from the coop in morning and put them in boxes. Just need air holes, I stab holes with a pen for people picking birds up with cardboard. If they don't show up till late morning I add a lot of holes to compensate for the heat.

 

[aart]

How did the move go? I am researching because we are in the same situation. We have to move 6-7 flighty roosters and are unsure of what to do. I'm a bit anxious to be honest. Do you have any advice?

I'd be curious to know too...
..... but it doesn't appear that @rockersj has been back since starting this thread.

 

[bhawk-23]

I'd be curious to know too...
..... but it doesn't appear that @rockersj has been back since starting this thread.

You know, I just started to read through a post 15 pages long and decided to skip to see if it was ever solved but the OP had never came back! Thank goodness I skipped! Lol

@Egghead_Jr
Yes, I am thinking to use 2 dog crate with 3 sides covered with cardboard and 3-4 in each. We'll snatch them at night and transport pretty quick in the morning. Cold here and only 5 min drive so should be ok lol