TheK9s Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 We're getting our first girls on Friday! I'm more excited about this than I was about having my children We're wondering what's the best stress free method of transporting them home? It'll be about 40 minutes drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowWhite Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 They will travel fine in a large cardboard box, deep enough for them to stand up in. We used boxes from our last removal company! A pet carrier would be ok, as long as it was not too small. Likewise you can get cardboard pet carriers (from a pet store or similar) that will do the trick for a couple of birds. Alternatively, call the people you are buying/collecting from, they may be able to provide a suitable box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Have you got a quite a big sized cat crate??? (obviously depends on how many you are getting) Apparently a crisp box is the right size for 2 hens but because you are traveling a little while i would go a little bigger! Good luck with your new girls! What breeds are you getting??? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheK9s Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 We're getting two "ordinary" hybrid red type thingamijigs (spot the novice!) and a couple of black rocks. We're deliberately limiting ourselves to 4 for the next six months til we find our feet chicken wise. We've got plans to build a fabby big enclosure in the summer, inspired by the great pictures here. Hopefully then we'll be able to treat ourselves ang get a couple of pure breds. I'd love a wheaten maran. The trouble is that after looking at all the lovely photos here I want one of everything!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 it also depends on their age - which relates to size... I've had 2 allegedly pol girls in a normal cat carrier, and they were fine for a 30 min journey. in some respects, a smaller space is better - if you think of the effects of cornering etc! just make sure they have enough ventilation and they should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 i used a medum sized storage box and filled it with lots of straw for 2 baby pekins and that was for a two and a half hoursjourney home all that for 2 lil chickens the whole journey proberly cost £60 with all the petrol (dad has a petrol guzzzling car )and food stops be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 So excited for you, I still remember the journey home with our chooks. My first two came with the eglu as it was second hand. I still remember the disgruntled clucking as OH forgot them and took a roundabout too fast , they were totally fine though. The second two came home in our cat boxes. The most important thing to remember is to post pics of them as soon as you get them home . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 i used a medum sized storage box and filled it with lots of straw for 2 baby pekins and that was for a two and a half hoursjourney home all that for 2 lil chickens the whole journey proberly cost £60 with all the petrol (dad has a petrol guzzzling car )and food stops be Oh aaron you really do have your dad wrapped around your little finger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 They tend to go into roost mode when confined to a box. I have had 2 hens in a 42x35x26cm document box many a time, quite successfully. Tip...secure the bottom with parcel tape just in case. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I think the best way is to make sure the box is neither too large (as they will slide) or too small but I also, put a blanket over mine to make the box very dark inside. This should then send them to sleep and hopefully reduce the stress. Good luck Lo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I would agree with everything that has been said above. In addition, if you can stand to wait a few extra hours before collecting them, doing the pick-up in the late afternoon will mean they are more docile and sleepy (therefore less likely to get stressed by the move). We collected our latest two early evening because we had a two hour drive to get them home. They were fine with the trip (in a sturdy cardboard box), and awoke properly the next morning in their new home. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I took my four home in two cardboard cat carriers, no light .... the darks subdues birds and lowers stress ... with a straw bedding ...ie ...2 chooks per carrier. They were snug. I felt it better they were comfortably close than rattling around in a big box being shunted end to end every time I cornered the car Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 When I picked up my ex-batts, most people had either cardboard boxes with air slits cut in them, or cat carriers. My 6 were in two large cat carriers with bedding and newspaper (as a lining, not for reading on the journey ) for over an hour and were absolutely fine. I put them in the back of the hatchback because it was darker so less stressful for them (and my driving is an acquired taste!) and it meant I watched road on the way home rather than watching them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 i used a medum sized storage box and filled it with lots of straw for 2 baby pekins and that was for a two and a half hoursjourney home all that for 2 lil chickens the whole journey proberly cost £60 with all the petrol (dad has a petrol guzzzling car )and food stops be Oh aaron you really do have your dad wrapped around your little finger. hahahah o well its called love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
