Transporting Turkeys

[Bush84]

I have what I expect to be a unique situation that I hope others can help. I think I am going to get some bourbon reds this spring. There is somebody selling them close to where I buy bees in the spring. So it would be really handy to be able to kill two birds with one stone if you follow me. Now if you have never bought bees before they come in a wire cage and generally do have a few clinging to the cage. The cage isnt big but turkeys are. This would all have to be crammed into the back of my SUV. I would be buying adult turkeys not poults. Any suggestions? Would they fit and should I just toss them in the back or should I try to put them in something?

Also side question about feeding. What does everybody do about feeding chickens and turkeys. I free range and all would have access to the outside world. Do I find a way to make two feeders with one not accessible to chickens or do I just feed all a high protein feed?

Thanks all.

 

[feedman77]

I use dog kennels when i have to transport turkeys or chickens.

I free range my turkeys and chickens together. Feed them 18 percent layer or gamebird feeds. I don't seperate they all get them same.

Bees in a suv. Braver person than I can't imagine that.

How many turkeys are you looking at getting?

 

[R2elk]

I have what I expect to be a unique situation that I hope others can help. I think I am going to get some bourbon reds this spring. There is somebody selling them close to where I buy bees in the spring. So it would be really handy to be able to kill two birds with one stone if you follow me. Now if you have never bought bees before they come in a wire cage and generally do have a few clinging to the cage. The cage isnt big but turkeys are. This would all have to be crammed into the back of my SUV. I would be buying adult turkeys not poults. Any suggestions? Would they fit and should I just toss them in the back or should I try to put them in something?

Also side question about feeding. What does everybody do about feeding chickens and turkeys. I free range and all would have access to the outside world. Do I find a way to make two feeders with one not accessible to chickens or do I just feed all a high protein feed?

Thanks all.

As suggested a large dog carrier would work for the turkeys.

I free range and feed chickens together. A quality 16% protein feed will work for chickens and adult turkeys. The key here is adult turkeys. Poults and juveniles do need a higher protein than do chickens. Under those conditions, I feed the higher protein feed to everyone.

I used to go pick up packages of bees but nowadays I just have them delivered right to my house.

Good luck.

 

[Bush84]

Hoping to get 2 or 3. Don't have a dog carrier. Have two car carriers but don't imagine that'd work. Maybe a large box with flaps taped up would do.

I have transported bees in this fashion before but never this far. I moved two years ago and first time getting bees since. Will be 2-3 hours. Fewer and fewer places ship bees.

 

[R2elk]

Hoping to get 2 or 3. Don't have a dog carrier. Have two cat carriers but don't imagine that'd work. Maybe a large box with flaps taped up would do.

I have transported bees in this fashion before but never this far. I moved two years ago and first time getting bees since. Will be 2-3 hours. Fewer and fewer places ship bees.

If using a large box make plenty of air holes and it needs to have lots of room so that the turkeys aren't so crowded that they get overheated. I have transported adult turkeys by taping the turkey's legs together with electrical tape and also running tape around their bodies to hold their wings in place but I wasn't transporting them any 2 -3 hours.

I know about the lack of places to get bees from. Until last year there were no places within 180 miles to get bees. Five years ago there were no places within the state to get bees.

 

[Bush84]

I wouldn't shut it but rather tape the flaps upright to make the box taller. Do you think jimmy rigging a blindfold would help? I generally try to keep the car very cold as to keep bees calm.

 

[R2elk]

I wouldn't shut it but rather tape the flaps upright to make the box taller. Do you think jimmy rigging a blindfold would help? I generally try to keep the car very cold as to keep bees calm.

I wouldn't blindfold them but that is just me.

 

[JanetfromDayton]

I transported my chickens to our cabin over the summer using a rubbermade type container with 1" holes drilled in it for air, pine shavings or shredded paper in the bottom. They even laid an egg on the trip.