Traveling Chickens

[countrygirl27]

I am wondering if I can take chickens on "long" trips with me? I want chickens, but my family doesn't cause they think it would limit us in travel. Our nearest releative is 400 miles away, and the rest live WAY farther than that. Can adult chickens handle a trip (one day one night traveling down, and then 2 or three days down there, and then one day one night back)? We don't really know anyone that could take care of them for us(all of our friends live quite a ways away, and they live in the city.)

 

[Odelia]

Yes, and no. Chickens have lived on ships and were brought across the country in the wagons with the pioneers. For that matter they have been most everywhere. So could you bring them and have them survive the trip. YES! Now what would you do with them once you arrived at your destination? That is your biggest problem. I think your family is right. This isn't a great pet to take with you on vacation. Try finding a neighbor who would watch them for you when you are gone.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with Odelia. Just because chickens CAN be transported, doesn't mean they SHOULD. Your chickens would be much happier being left home with a neighbor to come check in on them. You can have a coop with attached run and make sure they have plenty of food and water for a few days. You may have to forfeit the eggs while you're gone, or offer them to whoever you find to check on your chickens for you. For what it's worth, chickens would not be allowed to accompany us on family vacations. We've never even brought our dog with us.

 

[donrae]

Sounds like it's time to make some new friends. Just cause you don't know anyone now doesn't mean you can't know anyone in a month. 4-H or FFA kids are the bomb for animal sitting.

I can't imagine travelling with chickens. They're noisy and kinda smelly and how would you transport very many? Then, what would you do with them while you were visiting? I think trying to have them with you would be very limiting as you'd always be worried about where to keep them, caring for them, etc.

I also don't take animals on vacation. I have family or friends that I'm very comfortable having them watch my place. And no, I didn't know my friends all my life, in fact my most dependable go-to person I didn't even know 2 years ago!

 

[countrygirl27]

Thanks for the input. I'm sure we could figure a way to leave them home.