simon_blackwell1 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hello all, I have to transport two hens to my parent's house so they can look after them while we're on holiday. The eglu will go with them, so aside from a change of setting their home will remain as is. Does anyone know where I can buy a box big enough to carry two hens? I visualise it as something with a handle on the top with fold down corners that fix the handles in place. Do pet shops sell these? Apologies for the stupid questions, but I'm a bit short on hifi cardboard boxes etc! S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Vets often sell the cardboard carriers Two hens will fit in to a normal sized cat carrier though The boxes that packets of crisps come in are ideal for two chickens, I ask at a local petrol station for mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 That's good advice, thanks Redwing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hi Simon, how far are they going?. Don't make the box so biig that the chooks crash around inside it. Plenty of air holes though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I am collecting some hens this coming weekend from the BHWT - the advice I was given was that a chicken needs the same sort of room as a football each, cat carriers are ideal, or cardboard boxes are fine so long as you have large "windows" cut out so they don't get too hot, like the ones in the pic at the bottom of http://www.bhwt.org.uk/a-day-in-the-life.php P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 From work I got an A4 photocopier paper box and cut holes in it. It was perfect for 1 hen and had a lid so she could be nice and dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I put the small roosting bars in our cardboard box. Gives them something to grip so they don't slip about . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I just used boxes from the supermarket, sort of crisp size and punched holes in it! As long as its dark in there they will sleep for the journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 The local pet shop was really kind with me. I went in to buy a cat carrier and explained what I needed it for. The chap said that that wouldn't be necessary and he popped out the back to get me a perfect sized cardboard box for free. He could have easily let me buy something so that gave me a little glow about human nature! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 an old towel is good to stop them slipping too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 They're only going about an hour and a half down the road, so not too far. I was thinking of a card board box with some straw in the bottom. The photocopy paper box is a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhesus Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I'd agree with the comments here. I bought some medium moving house boxes from Homebase (5 for about £5) and one of those took my two chickens from the poultry breeder home, which was about an hour. I got a drill driver and drove holes in and used the handle flap in the box for extra air. No problems and I can use the other 4 boxes for the loft anyway. A crisp box is another option - have a word with the local newsagent or sainsburys/tesco - there may be a box you could have for free and saves them squashing and recycling. Doris Hilda Marjorie Grace Elsie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
