[cachehunny]

Hello everyone, my name is jacqueline , tommorow i will be rescuing some ex freerange chickens from a farm in essex. 
the journey from the farm to my house is 88 miles and i was wondering if anyone had any advice for me with regards to how to make sure they are happy and comfortable. 
i am a real newbie and i realise that some of you may be shaking your heads and tutting , but i really want to help some of these chickens. 
i have in the last day managed to secure a house for them, one of my friends from a local community garden has one i can have.   
i have a large dog cage that i use for my dog to travel in, would this be ok for the chickens to travel back to my house in. 
Any advice on transport , or indeed how to look after them when i get them home would be very much appreciated,  i've wanted chickens for a long time now and this will be my dream come true. 
They are all 18mths old and still laying but even if they weren't laying i'd still want them. 
thankyou in advance for any helpful advice.
cachehunny

[joyfull]

a cardboard box with some airholes punched in are ideal for transporting hens in 

[cachehunny]

a cardboard box with some airholes punched in are ideal for transporting hens in 

hi joyfull.
thankyou for your advice.  do i need to feed and water them before i bring them home and do i need to stop half way and do the same again. 
i'm probably going to ask quite a few silly questions but i just want to make sure they are going to be ok.  i'm bringing 5 home for me and another 4 home for someone else.  is this going to be ok do you think. 

[joyfull]

I would put just 2 or 3 in a box. As this will be dark they should go to sleep. how far do you have to travel?

[cachehunny]

I would put just 2 or 3 in a box. As this will be dark they should go to sleep. how far do you have to travel?

quite a way, the entire journey is 176 miles in total

[cachehunny]

I would put just 2 or 3 in a box. As this will be dark they should go to sleep. how far do you have to travel?
[/quote

quite a way, the entire journey is 176 miles in total

the chickens only have to travel 88 miles,

[Ice]

cachehunny, when you quote you need to make sure the cursor is to the right of the last quote box [quote ]  before you type.  That way it's easier to read.

[cachehunny]

cachehunny, when you quote you need to make sure the cursor is to the right of the last quote box [quote ]  before you type.  That way it's easier to read.

ah ok, sorry, how new am i to this, thankyou

[Ice]

All part of the service.

[joyfull]

so they should be travelling for less than 3 hours in which case they will be just fine without food and water - just give them it when you get them home  

[grinling]

Is everything set up at home , house run, food and water etc.

[cachehunny]

Is everything set up at home , house run, food and water etc.

thankyou joyfull and yes all will be ready and waiting for them when they get home grinling. 

[joyfull]

make sure you find a good poultry friendly vet - not all vets will treat chickens  .
Try and do it now before you need one 

[cachehunny]

make sure you find a good poultry friendly vet - not all vets will treat chickens  .
Try and do it now before you need one 

that's a really good idea joyfull, i just assumed my vet i have for the cats and dog would be ok.  i will check with her tommorow .
thankyou

[joyfull]

and don't forget to post a photo or two of your lovely new girls