Chicken transport?!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I have ten 4 1/2 week-old chicks I wish to transport from IL to TN in my car. A 10-hour drive.
I am thinking of putting them in a large Sterilite solid color bin...putting them in front seat so fairly warm and can check on them.
Currently, they are in a baby pack & play play pen and are close to outgrowing it. They have 90% of feathers in...Flying around, happy....Thriving. We have a larger coop set up in TN.
I am sure the hens will not be happy campers on drive down, but I am looking for any advice some of you might have to make their ride easier.
I am thinking of putting them in a large Sterilite solid color bin...putting them in front seat so fairly warm.
May post this in a general vanity, but I figure my garden FRiends know lots about country living :)
Thanks for any thoughts you have :)
Can you help a FReeper with chicken transporting issues? ;)
If they’re feathered out, warmth isn’t as critical as when they’re just at the ‘fluffy’ stage. Make sure there are air vents in the top if the box and water would be more important than food over the length of the drive.
Make sure the container is large enough so they can all lie down comfortable and so they don’t start pecking one another and getting injured.
That’s all I can think of. They’re pretty hardy now that they’re feathered out.
With 90% feathers, heat probably isn’t an issue. Food, water, and cleanliness are definitely bigger factors.
The bin you have is a good start. Make sure the lid is well ventilated, and choose bedding that is absorbent and not too slippery. The motion of the car will make it hard for them to keep their balance, and with a slippery floor that might lead to leg injuries. I’d go with a thick layer of sand, at least 3 inches. Maybe even some heavy-duty wire mesh near the top of the sand so they have something to grab hold of. Just make sure the ends of the wire are tucked where the chickens won’t get hurt on them.
For food, I recommend either something that comes in a solid block, or else something sticky enough it can’t be spilled. Chances are they won’t eat much while moving, but it’s good to have it available.
If you don’t already mix food-grade charcoal in with their food, I recommend you start doing that a day before you leave, and add some to their travel food. Just a tiny bit will do. My ratio is about 1/2 a teaspoon per quart of food. This cuts down drastically on odors, and it also reduces the ammonia and other noxious substances emitting from their poop. Believe me, your lungs will thank you!
Water is the tricky part. I have yet to see a chicken waterer that won’t spill while traveling. My advice is to plan on stopping for about 10 minutes every 2 hours, and put their water dish in every time you stop. You can also stick an apple or other fruit in their feeder so they get a little water that way.
On short trips chickens tend to just hunker down and not move until they’re sure the vehicle is stopped, but for a 10-hour trip I’m sure they’ll appreciate some extra pampering.