u/CaseExciting4837 — reddlx

Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/chickens/s/iU0rwrgS9P

My first ever Reddit post had a lot of helpful suggestions and I owe all the commenters thanks for the creative ideas about transporting chickens safely!

I ended up using large sized moving boxes from Walmart and cut air holes, and covered the bottom with wood shavings. Duct taped and strapped down enough to look like a Dexter episode. I pushed some tires against the boxes to avoid shifting during the 1.5 hrs on gravel. A lot of people were concerned about heat, but I picked them up at 7:30pm at a nice cool 53F (dropped to 41F once home). I pulled over twice to check and they were all cozied next to each other dozing.

I also wanted to answer some other questions.

“3 hours round trip is too far!” ➡️ I live in the RURAL Midwest. Normal sized grocery store is 1hr and 15 min/one way. I used to commute 1.5hrs (on a good day) to work. 80 miles for some chickens?? I’ve driven longer for good ice cream.
“Just get chickens from your neighbors” ➡️ originally what I planned to do! But they wanted $25-30/hen and I can’t justify that price. $5/hen AND I got to drive to some of the prettiest parts of my state at sunset…worth it.
“They’re livestock, it’s fine” ➡️ the comment was deleted, but: I have a B.S. in An. Sci and while I understand the idea of livestock differing from “pets” is pretty common/accepted, I think treating animals as well as we can is what they deserve at minimum. I TOTALLY understand using what you have to survive. My grandmother/one side of my family still live where they use oxen to plow fields. I get it. BUT, I have the means to justify taking the extra time to transport safely and comfortably…so I did. As a previous FFA officer and 4-H show kid, I sometimes spoil my animals and I’m okay with that😂
“Your dad should go in the back of the truck and the chickens in the cab” ➡️ you’re not wrong and I promise I said something similar and slightly stronger 😅

Thank you for everyone who gave me some awesome ideas!

Less than a day later and the girls are already scratching up the grass and knocking down the local insect population.

I (F27)personally think this is a TERRIBLE idea. I’ve used dog crates in the past but we don’t have any at the moment and my father wants chickens asap and I found some for $5/hen. This has created a HUGE argument, as he thinks they’ll be fine but in my head A) they’d be sliding around B)ventilation concerns C) animal welfare. My dad’s an old Midwest farmer but it was always me who care of the chickens growing up.

I’m about ready to take the truck myself (which is in MY name!) to buy some crates and do it without him. I don’t need his help, but he doesn’t agree with me going to a strangers farms by myself (even though I lived in another country for 3 years and originally moved out at 17🫠)

TLDR: am I overreacting and it’s legitimately okay for a 1.5 hour drive, or are my concerns valid?