We are moving this weekend and it will be at least an 8 hour drive. All of my animals will be traveling inside SUVs. But I have two concerns about the chickens.
First, Mildred will be about six weeks old. Is she still susceptible to drafts and temp changes, like a window being cracked or anything? I intend to have her in a small airline crate, covered, and possibly put a hot hand or two in a sock in there.
Second, Harriet (not quite old enough to be laying, but basically full-grown) open-mouth breathed the entire way to and from a vet appointment a couple of weeks ago (35-40 minutes one-way). I did not think to cover her cage at the time. Open-mouthed breathing in cats and chickens scares me - especially with Harriet. She was quite upset and never calmed down in the vet's office, so she ended up breathing like this and sort of being in a bit of a panic for hours. Aside from covering her cage, is there anything else I could do to help her out on the trip?
And should they both have water available to them?
First, Mildred will be about six weeks old. Is she still susceptible to drafts and temp changes, like a window being cracked or anything? I intend to have her in a small airline crate, covered, and possibly put a hot hand or two in a sock in there.
Second, Harriet (not quite old enough to be laying, but basically full-grown) open-mouth breathed the entire way to and from a vet appointment a couple of weeks ago (35-40 minutes one-way). I did not think to cover her cage at the time. Open-mouthed breathing in cats and chickens scares me - especially with Harriet. She was quite upset and never calmed down in the vet's office, so she ended up breathing like this and sort of being in a bit of a panic for hours. Aside from covering her cage, is there anything else I could do to help her out on the trip?
And should they both have water available to them?
