Help, we're moving

[its hilly]

Well we have finally had to come to the decision that due to lack of work round here, which means no money, we are going to have to relocate to the OHs parents small hill farm near Penrith. Next 2/4 weeksish.
We have an area we can clear and fence in for the chooks. BUT, how do we move them? Its a 2.5hr journey, and I've got dog cages and massive cardboard boxes with wire tops to put them in. But to move the coops we will have to dismantle and load them the night before. And then reassemble them and build the runs at the other end. And we are talking 8 coops of various types and sizes. Some like the banties rabbit hutch one, will just go in 'as is', but will still need pens or runs building.
So if I put the chooks to bed in the carriers in the eve, then feed and water them am and pm, will they be ok in the carriers till late eve/early morning the next day? I know its not ideal but cant think how else to do it.
Any helpful ideas PLLEEEESEE
(one big advantage though, when I register with defra after we move I wont struggle to find field nos etc cos theyre all in the farm records )

[Bramble-Poultry]

they can live in the boxes for a couple of days as long as they have room to move around, lay down and are fed and watered - not ideal but needs must.

[Nicos]

Just a thought....

could you do it in two trips?
take 1/2- 2/3 of the housing one day-( leaving them a bit packed in what remains.)and set that up there.
Then the rest of the stuff- and chooks the following day/week?

this would of course only work if you had too much stuff from the house to do in one trip....maybe your PILs could come down and help out with that so you all only end up doing one trip???

Having recently moved over here, I'm glad we managed a second 'precious' load by car on another occasion!


good luck!....and don't forget to pack yr thermals!!!

[RichmondHens]

They will be fine. As Bramble says, you can offer them food and water in the boxes. Keep them dark and they will go into a snoozy state for an extended period anyway (bit like a broody hen).

We moved ours from Suffolk to Norfolk which meant loading them up into boxes early am but didn't get to unload them till after dark the other end. 30 odd chickens and they all managed ok. Even laid eggs en route! Chickens will put up with a lot when they have to.

Good luck with the move.

[Suechooks]

Do you have any electric netting? If so they could have a wander about within that for a while and bed them down back in their boxes/cages etc.
BTW Good luck with your move - make sure you get the poota up and running so we can hear how it goes!

[Polly Fouracre]

As long as they have water they will survive well for 48 hours or so. Good luck with your move and your new life.

[Glutton4...]

Could you hire a van? Fill the base with suitable bedding, and bung 'em in? Or do they have to all be kept separately

Sorry, I'm thinking out loud. You have Horses, do you have a horse trailer - they could go in there?

How many questions can you get in one post? LOL

[its hilly]

Food for thought here.
At least I'm reassured that they will cope if they have to stay in boxes for one day.
We will be going up to clear/fence the chook area, which will be a couple of days very hard work, so could take up stuff to make a couple of pens then, so at least a couple of pairs of banties will be able to go straight in..or out so to speak. But mostly cos of finances we will have to re-use the existing runs.
I do have some tatty electric netting and a battery, so yes we could make up a run using that for speed. Great idea Sue. And Al had just finished turning our first coop (which was massive and badly designed) into two easier to clean and manage ones, so we can take one of those with us then and get at least one set up ready. And the shed which will be the free rangers new house is packed already as they currently live in the barn.
Sadly G4 I dont have a horse trailer. I've always used the farmer that supplies my haylage to move them the twice a year from field to buildings. And cant afford him to take them up to Penrith And as I wrote off my Isuzu last year we cant tow one anyway unless borrow the farm pick-up. But at least I have an estate car now
Maybe not as bad as I thought..but trying to reduce a house into one room plus limited storage, and close my market stall, and..oh just everything and a dodgy heart which is playing up due to stress..I'm in panic mode.

[its hilly]

Thank goodness I've got you lot for help and advice

[CoraxAurata]

They will be fine so long as they have room and water, food too... When we are showing a distance away ours go into large crates after washing the night before, drive down first thing into show cages all day... fed and watered.. all the way back in the crates/boxes and as most shows are in the winter its dark long before we get home so they aren't out and about until next day.... But you sound like you're gonna have your hands full!

[Nicos]

Hav you got a removal date yet??

...and STOP stressing...everything you are worried about will be absolutely fine!...it'll be something else which'll go wrong!!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Just catching up with your news. Everything will work out OK, honestly. The only thoughts I had have already been posted. All the best. Bernie

[BUFFS]

just found this,best of luck with the move, dont look for any problems,they will find you,you have had all the good advice from the experts,so i hope you find it easier than you thought....

[Glutton4...]

If I were nearer, I'd lend a hand. But I'm sure you'll be fine. It's natural to worry, but Chooks and other animals always cope far better than we expect them to, and better than we do too.

[HayleyB]

Calm down, calm down. Although easier said than done... I'm NEVER moving again, last time was all in one day with 4 horses and a 3 month old foal jeez did I get in a state.

Chooks will be fine.