Long distance move to cold climate - keep or rehome old hens?

[Mrs. K]

It is the transportation and the state laws governing that transportation, from California to Virginia, that is a lot of states. As a woman in agriculture, please do follow the laws, people's livelihoods are at stake, and that is why the laws are in place.

That is a LONG distance to travel birds too. Yes it could be done, but it will add a great deal of stress to you and your birds. At the age of your birds, I would expect to loose some on a trip of this magnitude. Or shortly after the trip. Chicken hate change, this will be a change in environment, probably a change in feed, change in water, change in weather, change in coop...all contributing to a huge amount of stress.

If there is a chicken coop, might have disease built up in the soil, that your birds from states away, have never been exposed to. Or vice versa, bring in something.

I would strongly promote, leaving CA birds in CA and getting Virginia birds in Virgina. I would not keep them in the house, but then I am not a fan of birds in the house.

Mrs K

 

[Morrigan]

If you can find a good situation for them to stay in California, that would be easiest -- for you certainly, and probably for the hens as well. But finding a good situation might be tough and I would start looking now.

How attached to these hens are you? Finding someone to take them, will probably be relatively easy, but finding someone to take them and care for them, notwithstanding that their best egg laying days are behind them, could be a challenge.

I agree that you also need to look into whether it is legal to cross the state lines to transport the chickens to Virginia. If it's not, that may make the decision for you.

 

[Bk5566]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful perspectives. We are still exploring both options. Turns out Virginia requires the chickens be certified avian flu and pullorum free. Any recommendations on where we can get that done at reasonable cost? UC Davis can perform both tests for about $3 per chicken but the only vet we could find wanted to charge us about $700 for all the samples, tests, and paperwork.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful perspectives. We are still exploring both options. Turns out Virginia requires the chickens be certified avian flu and pullorum free. Any recommendations on where we can get that done at reasonable cost? UC Davis can perform both tests for about $3 per chicken but the only vet we could find wanted to charge us about $700 for all the samples, tests, and paperwork.

Use UC Davis.
Your state NPIP tester can conduct those checks and likely at reasonable cost.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

It is the transportation and the state laws governing that transportation, from California to Virginia, that is a lot of states. As a woman in agriculture, please do follow the laws, people's livelihoods are at stake, and that is why the laws are in place.

That is a LONG distance to travel birds too. Yes it could be done, but it will add a great deal of stress to you and your birds. At the age of your birds, I would expect to loose some on a trip of this magnitude. Or shortly after the trip. Chicken hate change, this will be a change in environment, probably a change in feed, change in water, change in weather, change in coop...all contributing to a huge amount of stress.

If there is a chicken coop, might have disease built up in the soil, that your birds from states away, have never been exposed to. Or vice versa, bring in something.

I would strongly promote, leaving CA birds in CA and getting Virginia birds in Virgina. I would not keep them in the house, but then I am not a fan of birds in the house.

Mrs K

You sound like you have a ton of experience and give very wise advice. I'm new to being obsessed with chickens(!). Can you tell me how is it different to ship birds as day-old hatchlings from state to state versus moving adult birds? I was thinking the adult birds might have more immunity? Or... they carry more disease? Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I know this wasn't addressed to me but the older a bird, the better chance they have come into contact with pathogens.
Day old chicks are normally from tested flocks with certification allowing shipping across state lines and very few of the poultry diseases are transmitted vertically from hen to chick through the egg. Chicks from a hatchery can reasonably be assumed to be disease free.

Adults will have more immunity to things they've been exposed to but may also be carriers that can infect other birds.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I know this wasn't addressed to me but the older a bird, the better chance they have come into contact with pathogens.
Day old chicks are normally from tested flocks with certification allowing shipping across state lines and very few of the poultry diseases are transmitted vertically from hen to chick through the egg. Chicks from a hatchery can reasonably be assumed to be disease free.

Adults will have more immunity to things they've been exposed to but may also be carriers that can infect other birds.

I appreciate it! Thank you! I'm learning so much on this website. I got my bantam flock this past year and don't want them ever to get sick. I have a second coop and run and am going to get day-old LF chicks this Spring--my hope is to make it a closed flock after that to reduce chance of sickness. Both sources of chicks are very reputable. Your explanantion really helps because otherwise I just worry!!! I'll make sure to always try and protect other people's birds from mine and mine from others' birds.

 

[Shadrach]

If they've been with you for 7 years then I would take them with you if at all possible.
You can make arrangements to lessen the shock of a new environment and given they are chickens, they will adapt, especially if they have their flock mates as support.
To change both their environment and keeper I think would be extremely stressful for them and if you're anything like me, you will worry about their welfare.

 

[Shadrach]

She's @ it again!
All fluffed up & no chicks to raise.
She's still laying so for the time being she is being let go.​

View attachment 1994253

Last night both Hepzibah & Soda were in nesting boxes. *sigh*
To get them on a roost I have to lift them off the nest & walk round the outside of the coop before I can deposit them on a roost where they belong. Hepzibah, who is lighter & far more docile, went complaining but without a hitch. Soda put me on my back in the pen. Ouch. Glad neither of us was really hurt but, oh, how I dislike a feisty broody!​

Did you post in the wrong thread Ribh?

 

[Ribh]

Did you post in the wrong thread Ribh?

Yep. About to delete. Sorry about that everyone...