⚠️ There is almost no emergency go bag content for backyard chickens anywhere online
Backyard chicken owners in the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Atlantic regions are on their own when a major hurricane forms. Shelters don't take chickens. Most evacuation guides ignore them entirely. This page is built to change that — because a flock represents real financial and emotional investment, and because chickens can be evacuated successfully with the right preparation.
Shelter in Place vs Evacuate — The First Decision
Unlike dogs and cats, backyard chickens often do better sheltering in place during hurricanes than being evacuated. The decision depends on the storm category and your coop construction.
- Category 1–2: Shelter chickens in place in reinforced coop — A well-built coop with secured doors and windows can protect a flock through Category 1–2 winds. Remove or secure any structures that could become projectiles.Category 1–2
- Category 3+: Evacuate flock or make the hard decision early — Category 3 and above can destroy most residential coops. If you cannot transport the flock, secure them in the most structurally sound structure on your property and have a plan for if that fails.Category 3+
- Pre-decide before storm season — not when the cone appears — Decide the category threshold at which you will evacuate. Write it down. Tell family members. Pre-decisions made calmly are better than in-the-moment decisions made under pressure.Plan in advance
- Identify destination before storm season — A friend, family member, or rural property at least 50 miles inland who can accept your flock for 5–7 days. Most standard emergency shelters do not accept poultry.Preparation
Transport — Chicken Crates
- Poultry transport crates — one per 6–8 standard-size chickens — Wire or plastic ventilated crates designed for poultry. Do not overcrowd — heat and stress from overcrowding kills chickens faster than the storm.Every trip
- Catching chickens before dawn or after dark — Chickens are docile and easily caught at night when they are roosting. Daytime catching in a panic takes hours. Plan your evacuation for dawn departure.Pro tip
- One crate per breed or established pecking order group — Mixing unfamiliar birds causes injury from fighting. Transport birds who already coexist together.Always
- Shade over crates during transport — no direct sun — Heat stroke in transport crates kills chickens within 30–60 minutes of direct summer sun. Cover crates with a breathable tarp.Hot weather critical
Feed & Water During Displacement
- 7-day layer pellet supply — their current brand, pre-bagged — Pre-measure 7 daily rations before storm season. Chickens on familiar feed maintain laying and health better than those on new feed.Day 1–7
- Grit — 7-day supply if birds have no ground access — Chickens need grit to digest their food. Pastured birds get it from the ground. Confined birds at a temporary location need supplemental grit.Daily if confined
- Water — 1 liter per chicken per day minimum, more in heat — In 90°F heat, a chicken can drink 500ml in a single day. Heat stress dehydration kills chickens quickly.Daily minimum
- Portable waterers and feeders — hanging style — Hanging feeders and waterers keep feed clean and reduce mess at a temporary location.Daily
- Electrolyte powder for poultry — Add to water during heat and stress. Prevents the dehydration-related deaths that peak on day 2–3 of displacement.Daily in heat
At Destination — Predator Protection
The most common cause of death for evacuated chickens is predator access at an unfamiliar location. Do not assume any temporary space is predator-proof.
- Hardware cloth — 10-foot roll of ½-inch mesh — Secure any temporary enclosure with hardware cloth. Standard chicken wire does not stop raccoons, foxes, or dogs.On arrival
- Predator deterrent light — solar powered flashing — A flashing solar light on a timer deters nocturnal predators. Set up on first night.Nightly
- Covered top — always, even for a few days — Hawks will take chickens in daylight from any open-top enclosure. Cover the top completely.Always
- Lock coop securely every night — At home you know your predator pressure. At an unfamiliar location you do not. Lock every night as a default.Every night
Health
- Poultry vet or agricultural extension contact — Most vets do not treat chickens. Your county agricultural extension office can direct you to a poultry vet.Documentation
- Poultry first aid kit — Vetericyn poultry wound spray, Blu-Kote antiseptic, styptic powder, gauze.Emergency
- Current photos of your flock — individual birds if possible — For identification if birds escape at destination.Emergency
Essential Products — Amazon Prime
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Poultry Transport Crates
💡 Ventilated. Secure latches. Do not overcrowd — 6–8 standard birds per crate maximum.
Shop on Amazon →
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Hardware Cloth — ½" Mesh 10-ft Roll
💡 The only predator-proof fencing. Standard chicken wire does not stop raccoons or foxes.
Shop on Amazon →
⚡
Poultry Electrolytes — Water Additive
💡 Prevents dehydration deaths on days 2–3 of heat displacement. Add to water daily.
Shop on Amazon →
🍽️
Hanging Feeder & Waterer Set
💡 Keeps feed and water clean at temporary locations. Portable and easy to set up.
Shop on Amazon →
💡
Solar Predator Deterrent Light
💡 Flashing solar light deters raccoons, foxes, and dogs at night. First night setup.
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🩺
Vetericyn Poultry Wound Spray
💡 Antimicrobial spray for pecking wounds and minor injuries. Safe for all poultry.
Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Should I evacuate my chickens or leave them in the coop?
For Category 1–2: most well-built coops protect a flock adequately. Secure the coop, add extra feed and water, close all openings, and evacuate the family. For Category 3 and above: if your coop is not rated for high winds, evacuate the flock or move them to the most structurally sound building on your property. The decision should be made before the storm forms — not when it is 200 miles offshore and you are panicking.
How do I catch chickens quickly when we need to leave fast?
You cannot catch chickens quickly during the day unless they are trained. The strategy: go to the coop 30–45 minutes before sunrise. Chickens are roosting and completely docile. You can pick up an entire flock and crate them in 10–15 minutes in near-darkness. Practice this once before storm season — it is dramatically different from chasing chickens around a yard in daylight. Time your evacuation departure for dawn.
Will my chickens stop laying eggs during and after the disaster?
Yes — almost certainly. Stress, transportation, change of environment, change of light schedule, change of feed, and change of flock dynamics all disrupt laying. Most hens resume laying 2–4 weeks after returning to their normal environment and routine. Some high-production breeds take longer. This is normal and not a sign of health problems. Prioritize their health during displacement over egg production.