Traveling cross country

[Lizzyduff]

Will be moving from Washington to Louisiana this summer. Taking my 11 hens and 2 roos along. My plan is to drive at night after the sun is fully set so it is cooler, and they will be more calm. Got medium dog crates with dividers: 2 hens to a crate, with black out covers, in the truck bed, with a camper shell, partially open windows for ventilation. During the day, we will be stopping with family and friends along the way: All of them have fully fenced in yards. We have permission at each stop to allow our flock to free range, eat, and drink fully supervised, in the yards during the day, while we nap. I've got chicken first aid kits, ice chests with kale/grapes/watermelon, BSFL and other treats.

My question is this: What am I missing/ forgetting? What should I expect?

I've never traveled this far with chickens before and I'm nervous. Anyone else who has moved with chickens please tell me how you did it. How did it work out? What would you have done differently?

 

[chooki]

It sounds like a good plan. When I drive with my chickens after sunset they generally lay low on the floor and are in a sleepy state.

You probably have thought about it, but still, make sure you secure your dog crates.

The thing you may have to worry about is that chickens can get lost easily when facing unfamiliar environment, so there is a chance that they may go stray at your family and friends place. I know you said that the yards are fully fenced, but chickens are small and may go through holes under the fence, also they can fly over it. I had hens that went into hiding to lay eggs because they were unsatisfied with the makeshift nesting box at the place that I took them to holiday with for a few days. I eventually lost some of those hens because there were heaps of predators around.

 

[Lizzyduff]

Oh my goodness...I hadn't thought of that. I think I'll bring my screened in pop up tent... it's 15x15 feet... let them use that as a temporary 'run' during the day instead of fully free range in an unfamiliar yard. Would wing clipping help too you think?

Thank you!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I think you’re forgetting that every yard you put them in will be a source of pathogens and parasites they have no immunity to. I think you will arrive in a new place with a bunch of sick chickens. I’m not trying to be a downer. I have moved with chickens-not that far but a good distance (over 1000 miles). We drove during the day with the chickens in the bed of a pickup truck with the topper on. They had the entire truck bed to themselves. It had side windows that were open and I think the AC on and the window open to the cab. That was early summer.

Usually when I take chickens on road trips it’s about 8 hours. It’s stressful for them but they make it. I do a wet mash for their food (no water because it just makes a mess) and give them fresh electrolyte water (like sav-a-chick) at every stop.

All that being said, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I moved over 2000 miles and left my chickens because I didn’t think it was worth it. You obviously think it is so that is why I gave you my advice and I hope it helps.

 

[RojoMarz]

I think you need to map out what states you will be travelling through. Then checking on their rules for bringing poultry into the state, as they may have specific requirements.

 

[Evadig]

I moved with chickens from upper Michigan to lower Louisiana, and have taken chickens on sixteen hour (one way) road trips.

I don’t think the blackout covers are necessary, but that’s just my opinion; we drove during the day and the hens were just fine - they were scratching for food in the back and a couple even laid an egg! Mine were in wire crates too (no divider) with a branch to perch on and straw at the bottom of the pen.

The screened pop-up for a run is a good idea.

I think your flock will do fine .

 

[Lizzyduff]

I think you need to map out what states you will be travelling through. Then checking on their rules for bringing poultry into the state, as they may have specific requirements.

Oh God... it never occurred to me there'd be rules for this sort of thing...(((banging head on desk))) thank you. This could have been a disaster.

 

[Lizzyduff]

I think you’re forgetting that every yard you put them in will be a source of pathogens and parasites they have no immunity to. I think you will arrive in a new place with a bunch of sick chickens. I’m not trying to be a downer. I have moved with chickens-not that far but a good distance (over 1000 miles). We drove during the day with the chickens in the bed of a pickup truck with the topper on. They had the entire truck bed to themselves. It had side windows that were open and I think the AC on and the window open to the cab. That was early summer.

Usually when I take chickens on road trips it’s about 8 hours. It’s stressful for them but they make it. I do a wet mash for their food (no water because it just makes a mess) and give them fresh electrolyte water (like sav-a-chick) at every stop.

All that being said, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I moved over 2000 miles and left my chickens because I didn’t think it was worth it. You obviously think it is so that is why I gave you my advice and I hope it helps.

As a microbiology major i have no excuse for not having thought of this before myself. Maybe skipping the free range altogether for the week might be better than risk exposure to Good knows what. I have an appointment with their vet- I'll request all the prophylactic stuff imaginable and see what she says. I agree, might just be safer to keep them in the truck since stress weakens immune systems already. Thank you so much!

 

[Lizzyduff]

I moved with chickens from upper Michigan to lower Louisiana, and have taken chickens on sixteen hour (one way) road trips.

I don’t think the blackout covers are necessary, but that’s just my opinion; we drove during the day and the hens were just fine - they were scratching for food in the back and a couple even laid an egg! Mine were in wire crates too (no divider) with a branch to perch on and straw at the bottom of the pen.

The screened pop-up for a run is a good idea.

I think your flock will do fine .

Thank you! Makes me feel better. I traveled from Oklahoma to Alaska with a cockatiel... from Alaska to Washington, through Canada with TWO cockatiels... and that stress is NOTHING compared this!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I hope you figure it all out! I hated having to sell my whole flock to move so I get not wanting to.