Hi! We are a family of three (plus a cat and a min-pin) who currently live on a military base in central NJ, but have purchased what we hope will be our "forever home" on 3 acres outside Granbury, TX. We will be moving to our new home in May and we will be there for a year while my husband serves a remote tour. We are hoping that his follow on assignment will be in North Texas, but failing that we have only two more years till retirement (woot!) My husband casually mentioned that "when we get settled I'd like to get some chickens." and I did this. But, being the good wife, I started researching chickens. Now I have about 30 bookmarks, some new books, and have read multiple websites researching chicks, coops, materials, food, chickens in gardens, etc., etc., and furthermore! Now that I'm all excited I have a ton of questions, but I'll go and try to find the right places to post them. Luckily for my family's sanity I can't actually do any purchasing for awhile (it will be early June by the time we get back from my husband's change of command). One question that probably doesn't have a proper place, so I'll go ahead and ask it now. I can "guarantee" that we will be in this home for 1 year. After that it is anybody's guess for the next two years until retirement. Would it be silly to raise some chicks just for the year? Obviously if we can stay there it would be awesome, but if we have to move again is it cruel/irresponsible/unethical to get chicks knowing that I'd have to sell them or give them away? I wouldn't do that with another pet (dog, cat), but I don't know of a single military base that would allow me to keep chickens in housing. Thanks in advance for all the great advice, I've already been helped a great deal! P.S. I promise NEVER to ask what DE is!
Greetings from Kansas, and ! I also salute the military service of your husband. No, I don't think it would be unethical if you had to move after a year. Depending on your intentions with the birds (meat, eggs, enjoyment, all of the above), it is reasonably easy to re-home them as it's not too hard to get people to accept chickens. You may have to research the type of owner you want to leave them with (wouldn't want your babies on tomorrow night's menu if that was not what you had in mind for them) and ask a lot of questions. Just start the process early. I hope it's all a moot point and you get to stay in TX and raise them all by yourselves! Good luck to you!
Hello and welcome to BYC I think if you are going to be in one place for a year, you should get some chickens, but be prepared to get attached to them and that you may find it hard to part with them if the time comes. And I'm not answering, promise: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/food-grade-de-diatomaceous-earth
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan Spring is a good time to get chickens, lots of chicks around. It is usually not too hard to find homes for year-old hens, as they are often laying well at that time and have lots of time left to lay - although you may find it hard to give them up.
