It can be done safely.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/eight-hours-home-with-five-day-old-chicks.1465670/
Short version: I picked them up as day old chicks and drove several hours. That was easy as they had their yolk sacks for food and water. They were also willing to stay huddled quietly in the chick box.
Five days later, they needed regular stops for food and water and to change the puppy pad under them. They also were much bigger, stronger, and adventurous so keeping them safely in the (bigger) box took some doing. I wanted it open to the light because I thought they were too old for the day old huddle all day thing and too young to spend the day in the dark or in the dark with many abrupt light periods to eat and drink.
I don't know how far is reasonable to do as one leg if it is the only leg you are doing - I wouldn't go longer than the fifteen min break each hour that I did if it is very many legs. They have such tiny little crops. They all ate and drank at each stop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/eight-hours-home-with-five-day-old-chicks.1465670/
Short version: I picked them up as day old chicks and drove several hours. That was easy as they had their yolk sacks for food and water. They were also willing to stay huddled quietly in the chick box.
Five days later, they needed regular stops for food and water and to change the puppy pad under them. They also were much bigger, stronger, and adventurous so keeping them safely in the (bigger) box took some doing. I wanted it open to the light because I thought they were too old for the day old huddle all day thing and too young to spend the day in the dark or in the dark with many abrupt light periods to eat and drink.
I don't know how far is reasonable to do as one leg if it is the only leg you are doing - I wouldn't go longer than the fifteen min break each hour that I did if it is very many legs. They have such tiny little crops. They all ate and drank at each stop.
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