Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ClaudetteDay]

I'm getting my chooks on the 24th of april this year. extremely excited. it will be the first time i've owned chickens !

 

and i was wondering where to buy those cardboard boxes to transport the chickens?

 

if you could provide links, it would be extremely helpful.

 

thanks

[Busybird]

I used a cardboard box that a computer came in to transport chickens.

 

I have since bought a pet carrier which works well (it cost £12). I can fit roosting bars in the bottom and have brought home two girlies in one of these.

[BeckyBoo]

I've used computer type boxes, a dog crate, cat basket, as long as the journey isn't too far they should be ok. Make big slits in the sides of boxes for air vents and keep them covered and they pretty much go to sleep.

 

Godd luck, not long to wait!

 

BeckyBoo

[joza2210]

I just go in my local super-market and ask them for any spare cardboard boxes and they just give you them for free

[Cluckin Belle]

Hi

i got my boxes from pets at home

i don't remember how much they were as it was last year but not much compared to the love they bring

[Redwing]

I find archive boxes and the boxes that A4 paper reams come in are both good as the lids fit well

 

A 'crisp' box from a local garage is ideal too

 

If you get box that doesnt have handles you can use a knife (carefully!) to make two parallel slits across a corner then push the area between the slits inwards, this keeps the strength in the box and if you two two opposite corners they make the boxes easy to carry

 

To answer your original questiion I expect you can buy the boxes from Pets at Home or similar, you can get them online but more often than not they are in packs like these

 

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Poultry_Carrying_Boxes.html

[jellykelly]

I smile sweetly at the guy in pets at home and he gives me as many as I need.

[mocha]

I used a dog crate too. They seemed quite happy in it

[Space Chick]

I use a cat carrier, somehow I have 3 of them now but only 1 cat

[Christian]

I use a cat carrier, somehow I have 3 of them now but only 1 cat

 

I have 2 cat carriers and no cat

[Alis girls]

Our vets supply cardboard ones for a small fee,

[Egluntyne]

Pets at home sell the boxes you mention. They are about 3 quid each.

 

TBH I'd save your money and use a robust cardboard box with a good fitting lid and air holes punched into the side.

[chelsea]

 

TBH I'd save your money and use a robust cardboard box with a good fitting lid and air holes punched into the side.

 

 

Ditto, your standard cardboard box from home is just as good as anything.

[Cinnamon]

You can get the proper cardboard carrying boxes with a hendle & air holes from a vets,but a borrowed cat carrier or a strong box is as good as anything.

 

Hens go into a nice litle trance when they are being transported & will travel for a little way with no real problems.

[Foot-tapper506]

I am moving house at the weekend and I was going to keep my girls locked in the nestbox end of the coop whilst transporting them in the van. Is that not a good idea? My thinking was that they are used to their coop and would be happier there than being put into a box? What do others think?

Thanks

[Chucky Mama]

Not sure, depends how many you have and how much space there is - the most important things I think is that they are 'packed together snuggly' for want of a better phrase so they don't get buffetted around and that they have enough ventilation.

[C&T]

On the occasions we have moved ours (to their holiday home and back) a bulk standard cardboard box did the job just fine. Put some Hemcore in the bottom to soak up any poo's and was perfect! Always a job getting the 2nd chook in, without the 1st one getting out... But we are getting better at that!

 

Would have thought transporting in the Eglu themselves would be tricky - very big so would get thrown around, and can see them getting their legs trapped between the roosting bars if the car stops suddenly, or goes round sharp bend or anything??

[The Dogmother]

Not sure, depends how many you have and how much space there is - the most important things I think is that they are 'packed together snuggly' for want of a better phrase so they don't get buffetted around and that they have enough ventilation.

 

I agree.

 

I use an archiving box with extra air holes and a bungee to keep the lid on.

[Hen Watch]

I used an A4 copier paper box from work. Nice fit for 1 hybrid chicken so they don't slop about in the car. Good as they have nice lid to keep it dark which you can make air holes in.

[ClaudetteDay]

thanks for all the replies

 

only 22days till i get my chooks!!! extremely excited.

 

i'll visit my local pets at home. and see if they have any.

but it might be wise to invest in a dog crate for future check ups at the vets.

 

thanks for the help much appreciated.