Advice please - transporting chickens

[sarabee]

Hi everyone

Have been awol from DTL as we are going through some really difficult times which I won't go into. However in the next couple of months we will be upping sticks and moving 5 hours away. Bearing in mind the weather could be hot (well, you never know) has anyone got experience that could help please? I am particularly worried about stopping to give them water and they escape or something. The more I plan now, the better. I am intending to use cat travellers for them.

p.s. sorry about all the lost and poorly hens and happy birthday to all those I have missed but I'm not up to general chat at the mo.

[Annie]

I haven't done a journey of this length Sara so can't speak from experience. Are you transporting in the family car or in a van etc ?
Thinking out loud here I would say, make sure they are let out at home for as long as possible to eat,drink, stretch and poop, this would surely be beneficial to them ahead of the journey. Then simulate as near as possible night time conditions i.e. make the travelling space as dark (but air must circulate)as possible , to lull them into a sense of it being night as after all they only sleep and poop then.
Take pegs for your noses as it could get very whiffy I should think.
Someone with more practical experience may come along and trash all of that
Really hope the move brings, peace happiness and contentment back into your lives.

[chicks&cats]

Sorry to hear you have been going through difficult times and I hope things start to improve for you
All I can say is I transported my chooks for 90 mintues and the smell was not good Wish you could teach them to cross their legs..... I would ditto what Annie said re making it like night for them as they should settle themselves down.
Good luck.

[sarabee]

Thanks both. We can live with the whiff as long as they are ok. It's a great point about stimulating night conditions so we could set off late afternoon rather than early morning. They will be in hub's car. I'll be following with the cat and dog!

[Mad Chick]

Hi Sara

Will they be in separate cat carriers or all in one together?

If you have room in the carrier, you could stop mid way and give them a bowl of water to drink from and opening the car doors will give them some fresh air and a rest from the motion of the moving car for a few minutes. You could give them some melon or grapes during the journey as this will help with hydration too.

Although after 5 hours in a car with three chooks I would imagine he'll be in more need of fresh air than they will

Keep a window open to stop them getting too hot and they'll be fine.

Hope your new home brings you everything you wish for

[Benny&Co]

Sorry to hear you've been having a hard time Sara, here's hoping your new home will bring happier times

[Totally Scrambled]

Three and a half hours is the longest trip we've done and they were fine. We used a cardboard box with plenty of air holes round the top, with the flaps over the top they settled in fine for the trip.
We had the windows open a bit to allow airflow and had the air con on.
For water you could try this for an idea. Cable tie one of these to the inside with a bit of a flap above it so you can top it up if needed.

Cut down like this.

Dom

[Hintza]

Personally I would give them nothing, but as has been suggested leave it until late in the day and make the boxes dark and allow plenty of circulation. They will be fine for 5 hours and messing with them can only cause trouble. I wouldn't even look at them again during the journey as you will just be tempted to mess them around.

[junemackenzie]

I hope you find happier times in your new home. I want to transport my four girls from northern France to UK soon so your thread is very ineresting to me. Good Luck Please let us know how you get on.

[sandy]

Oh Sara so sorry you are having a difficult time I cannot really help with your question but I am sure you will manage well with the other's advice. I am sending you lots of as I can testify first hand what a lovely lady you are

[aceface]

my banties had a 3 hour journey and a rabbit water bottle for the journey and were one to a box with air con and windows open and twilight journey ,marilyn had a 4 hr journey and lisa taped a plastic beaker with pellet porridge in and she had eaten alot good idea really as the water helped keep her hydrated ,all were fine on arrival and all twilight journeys and arriving in the dark plenty to drink at the destination and they were ready for bed ,hope happier times are ahead for you sarahbee good luck in your new home

[sarabee]

Thanks everyone