4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Sandychick]

It's that time of year when my chickens are due to go on their holidays to Newland Poultry hen boarding in Malvern. Transporting them, is something that isn't quite perfected. I have a cat carrier which is great for 2 of them, the other goes in a cardboard box, but I'll be getting another 2 hens soon, so there will be a lot of different carriers.

 

I'm thinking it would be far easier if I got a dog crate that I could fit 5 chickens in. Trying to get them out of the run and into various carriers all gets a bit complicated. On the grounds that my hens would run in to a roaring fire to follow a mealworm, I'm thinking - get a crate, throw mealworms in it, hens run in, shut door! The plan seems good, but.......

 

What sort of space would a maximum of 5 chickens need? (small or medium I think)

Am I under estimating the weight of 5 chickens in one carrier? (could one person carry it?)

 

Has anyone tried this, or has anyone got a more sensible suggestion!!?

[Redwing]

The crate should be about 1m x 70cm

 

Crates are good in that they let lots of air in but are bad as the floor is often slippy and hens dont settle as well in the light, you could line it with rubber matting or some old carpet and carefully place a blanket over it for transport though

 

It would be heavy and cumbersome so transporting the chooks to and from the cage in your arms is probably the best bet and the cage stays in the car throughout, two people could carry it but unless access is dead easy to the car (eg estate car) then it may be a hassle

 

Personally I'd stick with the boxes, two chooks fit nicely in to the boxes that crisp packets come in so I get these from my local service station cut two paralell slits across the corners and poke in the bit of cardboard, if you do this on opposite corners they make good handles as well as providing air

[bostock422]

A crate is the best option, but they're not cheap just to use once or twice a year, they're about £30 brand new. If you're not travelling far have you thought of using some boxes with lots of air holes?

[Purplemaniacs]

We brought our ex batts home in a dog crate.

 

We put an old towel in the bottom to give them some grip and once in the car (estate car) we covered them over so it was dark for them. Did not hear a peep out of them all the way home, about an hour and a half. At one point OH said do you think the shock of it all has killed them.

 

Chrissie

[dancing cloud]

I have two large cat carriers and transport 3 in each with paper on the bottom - they've all survived my driving so far. I agree the dog crate would be heavy - I have one I was given to use as a convalescence unit and I couldn't carry it far by myself. Maybe I'm just a weakling though ...

[Sandychick]

Thanks, went to have a look at one of these today - was quite heavy without a gang of chickens in it. Probably a bit OTT for some little hens Think a second cat carrier might be more sensible

[Penguin]

Can I just ask a question about the size of the cat carriers you use? There seem to be a lot out there and it is time to invest in some for the girls' transportation on holiday (at Newlands also). Could you give me the dimensions of the one you have that comfortably transports two so that I can buy the right size? Cardboard box alright at the moment, but the last time we used one, the handle broke and we almost lost the girls as they nearly escaped!

[dancing cloud]

This is what I have and they fit three ex-batts in easily, either through the door or through the top. You can get them cheaper on ebay, but this site has all the info.

 

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=152&pf_id=5536

 

Hope it helps

[Sandychick]

It's 21" x 16" and plenty of space for 2 hens. A carrier with top access makes it much easier to put the second one in, without the first escaping!

[Penguin]

Thanks - I'll be out looking soon! Have seen the top loaders - they look cool!