veersix Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi, The kids and I have decided to get chickens, and I'm about 99% sure I'm going to invest in an Eglu of some description. I've seen a (http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=59143) for sale on the forum. It sounds ideal as it has everything we'd need and is quite a saving on a new cube. Apart from a billion other general questions, my question regarding this particular item concerns that of transportation. I have a Focus Estate so I reckon it would all fit in okay, but my only concern is the chickens. I live in Leeds and the run is located in Newmarket so I'd need to collect it and having lived in Ipswich I know the journey's at least three hours long. Would they be okay staying in the run on the journey home? Would it cause them much distress and how would they feel about arriving at a new home? TIA, veersix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Three hours is fine - if you put them in the coop, or possibly in a cardboard box or a cat-carrier, and cover it up so it's dark then they will go into 'roost' mode and think it's night-time. They spend a lot more than 3 hours inside the coop during the night, if you think about it. If it's more than three hours or so, then you might want to break the journey and offer them some water or food, but I am sure there are others on here who've done similar journeys. The hens won't mind a new home, they'll head straight for the food when you let them out and will soon work out where to go when it's bed-time! Good luck with this, hope you can get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi I travelled with a cube, run, extension and four chickens from Bolton to home some 180miles and the chooks were fine A cardboard box with ventialtion holes is ideal as it keeps them in the dark so they think it is bed time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I second the cardboard box idea, cut two lines parallel across each upright corner a few inches down from the top of the box then push the section in, allows airflow, not too much light (good) and makes it easy to carry the boxes Get boxes that a couple can fit in as they will settle better if they have someone to snuggle up to I have done journeys of several hours with my chooks with no problems Chances are they wont take water while in the box even if you offer it but also they might take a jump out of the box at a service station my birds last 6 hours or so without water on a show day, as long as they get plenty later they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veersix Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 Hi, Thanks for your replies. The cube ended up on eBay as I was too slow, however I've bought a with an extra 3m of run from a lady on the Omlet Marketplace and will be picking it up tomorrow. The tricky bit now is choosing which chooks to get. DS1 wants to get Gingernut Rangers, DS2 doesn't have much of an opinion. A local poultry breeder doesn't sell Gingernut Rangers but does sells Warrens. Are these the same thing, just with a differnet name? I've also seems some GNR's described as Goldline, what does that mean? I quite fancy getting some Black Rocks as I like the mix of black and gold feathering. Would 2 GNRs and 2 BRs get on okay? Thanks, veersix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I think ginernut Ranger is just another name for warren, yes, 2 of each would be fine, if they have other breeds on offer, then get one of each - easy to tell them apart and more fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 One black, one brown and one white ... perfect combination! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veersix Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 I think we've settled on 2 , 1 Black Rock and 1 Light Sussex. DS1 has decided that he really likes the Light Sussex after we saw some in a run at a farm shop we went to this evening Cheers, veersix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
