Traveling cross country

[Mrs. K]

Your vet should be able to help you through the paperwork and health certificates. Please follow the laws.

Mrs K

 

[Susan Skylark]

Your vet will want to call the dept of ag in Louisiana to double check but your birds will need a pullorum test or be an NPIP flock plus a cvi (Link here), the ag dept website is not helpful but I found the above link with some helpful info but the vet will want to call to be sure. The test is good for thirty days, as is the cvi, any certified NPIP testing agent can do it for you in person (don’t have to send anything to the lab!) and have results in minutes. They’ll give you a form to accompany the cvi. Google npip/poultry improvement plan to find certified testing agents in your area or call your department of ag for contact info.

 

[Lizzyduff]

We made it! Not a single casualty or illness in either the chicken flock or the parrot flock. It was a truly horrible and exhausting drive, but we took every possible precaution and the friends and family we stayed with along the way took such great care of our girls that the stress was kept to a minimum and they even laid eggs the entire way, not missing a beat. I'm grateful for the air-conditioned coop at the new place since they had difficulties adapting to the heat . Seattle chickens don't like Louisiana summers! But they've appeared to have adapted well. To go out every few hours abd provide watermelon, grapes, mandarin oranges and other high water content treats and lots of fresh water...everyone is doing fantastic!

 

[Mrs. K]

Did you do the paperwork? How complicated was it? How long did it take for them to acclimate?

My hat is off to you, I would never do this.

Mrs K

 

[Lizzyduff]

Did you do the paperwork? How complicated was it? How long did it take for them to acclimate?

My hat is off to you, I would never do this.

Mrs K

We had someone come to the house to do the testing then ask we had to do was carry it with us. Very simple but kind of expensive. The first week in 100 degree temps was rough. Kept air-conditioned coop at 79... then 80... then 85...I go out every 2 hours to give water and treats to keep hydrated and if anyone looks too hot i round them up and put back in the coop with the air-conditioner on. It's been 2 weeks and they're mostly adapted now. If it is over 95 though I go check every hour to look for heat distress. They found a bush area that has a deep runoff, where it never gets higher than 88 from my measurements. They take dust baths under there, and have been able to pop out for treats and water so I can lay eyes on each of them. Today was the first day no one needed supplemental air-conditioning! I'm so proud of my girls and their ability to adapt without any infighting at all, with 4 new chicks integrating in the midst just before we moved, and they all remembered their recall and come sprinting to the new coop each day when I call. No bullying, no picking, and no injuries or illnesses. I also give electrolytes in water each day and high protein feed. Chickens are much smarter than we give credit for I've found. So adaptable and still they want their cuddles, so I suppose they forgive me for the move.

 

[jewelg]

Congratulations on your move! We plan to do something similar around Thanksgiving - Southern California to Maryland. Hoping our temperate and dry weather girls adapt to an East Coast climate well. Winter wouldn't have been our top choice for a moving season, but it's how the timing is working out. Do you have any suggestions or notes you haven't mentioned in here? I think you're stepping down the AC to help your flock adapt to warmer weather was really smart. I'm hoping Maryland has a mild winter this year to help our flock out!

 

[Lizzyduff]

Congratulations on your move! We plan to do something similar around Thanksgiving - Southern California to Maryland. Hoping our temperate and dry weather girls adapt to an East Coast climate well. Winter wouldn't have been our top choice for a moving season, but it's how the timing is working out. Do you have any suggestions or notes you haven't mentioned in here? I think you're stepping down the AC to help your flock adapt to warmer weather was really smart. I'm hoping Maryland has a mild winter this year to help our flock out!

We would not have survived without friends and family who kindly watched our flock while we slept for a few hours each day. Driving at night while the girls slept in their cages made all the difference. They didn't pick at each other or fuss. Each morning at sunrise we arrived at the next stop, assembled the portable fencing, and let them out to forage under the watchful eyes of our amazing friends. Each day they got fresh fruit and veggies and black soldier fly larvae and electrolytes and vitamins supplements. I gave them the highest protein feed I could find, with oyster shell. They laid eggs the entire trip and adapted to the new house quickly without a break in laying. No one got sick. Only a few close calls with heat sickness that was quickly resolved with cool water from the hose. We had 4 or 5 chickens per cage. The cages were the largest we could find- think Labrador size cages- with lots of ventilation and frozen ice packs, gallons of frozen water etc. Since you'll be going in the winter you'll be much better suited since they're less sensitive to the cold than the heat. You can always keep some emergency hand warmers on hand i suppose. My only other advice is to always make sure your girls are safe, fed, watered, and supervised before you do anything else. Even in the winter, ventilation is key. Keep us updated on your trip! Good luck!