counturchickens Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 We have a small garden, and an allotment, which is about 10 mins away by car. We opted to keep the hens at home, as they are really pets! I have read about people who take their chickens to the allotment, could we take them with us when we go for the day? Does anyone do this? I have an old spare house already stored there, so was thinking of getting some flexible fencing and letting them have a good scratch round when we are there. Or would the tranporting them just stress them out? Obviously they will only be let loose where we have no veggies, thinking that they could do some weeding and fertilising, but only if it would be good for them. Opinions/suggestions please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Movement = stress, I think you need to weigh up the advantages and perhaps see how traumatic they find it being transported. Also bear in mind that they will be having a change in diet at the allotment as they will be finding different things to eat - not necessarily bad but you may find a change in poos etc. Mine are going away from home from the first time for an Open Day in 2 weeks. I am going to give them a couple of days of probiotics and some Bach rescue remedy on the day. They are going to be 'bothered' by noise and children though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 We've only transported them here, when they were newly rescued. I suppose we could do a trial. How does it work when people show hens? Our girls do fr when we are here, I am thinking that they will have more 'fr' time if they come gardening too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Out of my flock, I have girls that like the car, and girls that don't. We also have an allotment, and we bought a collapsable rabbit run, we then put that over areas we want clearing... We only take 4 down at a time though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Mine have been to school a few times and out to go someone/where to be looked after or shows etc. Know its not best to regularly move them around but they've been fine Could do the probiotic powder but I think they'd be fine without Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Birds that are shown do get used to the travelling fairly quickly and at the other end is a small-ish cage and no water until after judging so I'd imagine a move to an allotment run with scratching and food would be my chooks idea of heaven Joking apart do try and see what happens, as SC says some birds take to travelling more readily than others so leave the stressed ones at home in future Let them fill up on pellets at home in the morning before taking them out and hopefully they wont absolutely gorge themselves Have the probiotic powder at the ready if they do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks redwing. I think we will have a trial! They do have fr time every day, so eat worms, slugs and a mouse on one occasion! They also get greens from the allotment, and whatever bits of my ornamental plants they can get, so hopefully not too much of a digestive shock. The allotment is reasonably tidy so won't be eating a field of weeds. I was hoping that they would enjoy it, so that they get more time out, particularly in the winter when during the short days they are ready for bed when we get home. Obviously the best solution would to move house to one with a huge garden (or smallholding, but I'm dreaming now" ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Friends of mine used to do this all the time (DotiD). Chickens really appreciated the chance to rootle about in the compost heaps. They just travelled in a box with and even mithered to be put into it when we stayed late one night and had a BBQ! Just have to hope yours soon associate the carrier with treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hi There My girls were hatched by us so they went to the lottie with me from an early age. I fence off an area that I want them to have a sctratch about on & they seem to love it. I use the sort of fencing that could also be electric so its easy to push into the ground in any shape & easy to move. I dont take them there until everyone has laid as it does not seem right to move them until they have laid in their fav eglu! They are great at sctatching up weeds when you have cleared a bed but mine hate slugs!! I think you will have to see how they are about it.........my view is its not really any different to a show bird or one who is put on display for some reason except lottie hens get more to do on their vistit!! One other problem that we now have is that 1 of my girls is a fully mature brahma & at 9 1/2 pounds she isnt very easy to carry around. Luckily she is a real sweetie & loves cuddles. Good luck with the experement, just make sure they are safe from dogs & foxes. Luv Penelope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks Penelope, that helps a lot. We will only have them there when they are in our sight and don't plan to leave them overnight. Mine love slugs, so if they enjoy their trips then it should help with that too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I take my lot to kent for a few days at a time. They travel very calmly & enjoy trashing my mums beautiful garden when they arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 i did ponder taking the girls up to the lottie to clear the weeds - my worry was they would escape and trash someones prize spinach or something. Why are such small creatures so distructive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Now I'm wishing I had an allotment for my chicks to rootle in. Sounds like everyone's chooks have a super time down amongst the veg. Will you let us know how your girls take to it? (A few pix would not go amiss either ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Will do cheakychook, if our netting arrives we'll be going for it Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
