Moving with chickens

[Johnchickens2]

Hi all. I live with my father in a house with a big yard. But recently I feel the need to move out and rent a place. I have about 10 serama chickens (7 females, 3 males) and 3 females a bit bigger bantams.
I can rent a place with a yard (not many places that allow chickens in my area) but it means the chickens will have to be locked in a coop, confined
Now this is a flock that is free in the yard all day. Since they were born. They hate staying in coop, even for a short time until I open the coop door in the morning. Now to put them in a smaller coop all day... I am concerned about their health!!! Some of them are SIX years old already.

Also - how can I keep the 3 males with me??? I cant put then in the same closed coop. They fight all the time.
My chickens are like my kids. Each has got a name, and I want them with me when I leave.

Any ideas would be much appreciated

Thank you all!!

 

[cavemanrich]

Consider staying where you are. Or consider rehoming your chickens where they will not be subjected to prison.
Your situation I'm sure is more complex than just moving out to be in a rental property.
No easy answers.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Johnchickens2]

You mean they can't be kept in a coop? I need to rehome them just because of this?
Staying is not really an option

 

[cavemanrich]

If your coop has an additional attached run, then things look much better.
To keep the cockerels/roosters separate,,, you will need to have a divider. If roosters start to fight each-other,, you do have a decision about rehoming some of them.

 

[Mrs. K]

Sematics are important when we from afar try and give advice. Coop often means a hutch or shed, some type of building. They are often limited in space and light, but offer protection from the weather. Where as the run, is a fenced yard outside, with fresh air, shade, sunlight and generally something to dustbath in.

So if you are asking would it be good to lock them up in a shed 24 hours a day with 10 head, three of which are fighting roosters...no this would not be a good decision for them. However, the move might be a good decision for you.

Often times, when younger people move out, there is a guilt factor to almost try and not make that decision. But as you say, staying is not an option. Let this flock go. Sell them. Start the next adventure in your life. Know that you will more than likely get chickens again. And you will enjoy them then.

Taking them now, is going to cause a lot of strife on you, guilt that they don't have what they want and really need to be healthy, all so that you can keep them. Let them go.

Mrs K

 

[Johnchickens2]

Sematics are important when we from afar try and give advice. Coop often means a hutch or shed, some type of building. They are often limited in space and light, but offer protection from the weather. Where as the run, is a fenced yard outside, with fresh air, shade, sunlight and generally something to dustbath in.

So if you are asking would it be good to lock them up in a shed 24 hours a day with 10 head, three of which are fighting roosters...no this would not be a good decision for them. However, the move might be a good decision for you.

Often times, when younger people move out, there is a guilt factor to almost try and not make that decision. But as you say, staying is not an option. Let this flock go. Sell them. Start the next adventure in your life. Know that you will more than likely get chickens again. And you will enjoy them then.

Taking them now, is going to cause a lot of strife on you, guilt that they don't have what they want and really need to be healthy, all so that you can keep them. Let them go.

Mrs K

Thank you all for your replies. I fully understand, thats why I decided to write here to you.
But I do want to know that I have done my best. If I can find a place that allows chickens and the coop will be relatively big... ?
Worst case , I can sell them then, but maybe its all going to be fine ?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Life is hard. Growing up is hard. Making tough decisions is hard and sometimes hurts. Sometimes you can't have everything you want. Right now you need to do what is best for you first, then decide what is best for your chickens second. Sounds like you have to move out. Okay, so what's best for your chickens? You need to find them a place where they can continue to live as they have been living, not suddenly confined in a tiny area they would hate and not understand, and where the males would likely fight. Obviously, that's not the same place you're going. So you need a Plan B for them. Then you can be at peace, knowing you did what's best for them. That's adulting. Good luck.

 

[Johnchickens2]

I understand. Thank you

Under which conditions I CAN take them with me? I understand that a coop in general is a big no, so what should be met so I can take them? I am willing to try and search for a better place to rent

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I understand. Thank you

Under which conditions I CAN take them with me? I understand that a coop in general is a big no, so what should be met so I can take them? I am willing to try and search for a better place to rent

When you find a place where you can provide them what they need. IMO, that means essentially what they have now. Or a place where you can keep the boys separate so they can't fight. Wishing you best.

They need a coop - an enclosed, locked building - to sleep in at night, to keep them safe from predators, and also a large, fenced run where they can run free and play all day. The coop should provide about 4 sq ft per bird and 1 sq ft of ventilation. The run should also be predator proof. That means, built of hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Dogs and raccoons can get through chicken wire pretty easily. If you have hawks some kind of protection overhead is advised. The run should provide 10 to 15 sq ft per bird and activities like perches and things for them to climb on, hide behind, etc.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oops, the dimensions I gave you are for LF chickens, not Seramas. You can go quite a bit smaller for your little birds but I don't know exact dimensions. My apologies!