my 2 pet chickens moving from NC to OH

[chkinut]

hi guys!!! i am going through a divorce.....i left my husband back in July (2013). i left for Ohio (where i am originally from). i had to leave behind a DEAR DEAR pet chicken named Cricket. i got her in April of 2010 from My Pet Chicken. her best friend (Ginger) also came in the box that year. i have kept those hens together no matter how my flock changed....Cricket and Ginger have always been together. Ginger doesn't really like being held....but Cricket....she would look for me every single day and she would sit on my lap and nestle her head into my hair. she would also come inside and sit on my lap as i watched TV. i cried like a baby when i had to give them up. now though, i have made arrangements to get them back....and it's going to happen. i am getting them back on christmas day!!! i have 5 questions with this post:

1. how will they adjust to a colder climate? will they be ok? i've read all kinds of threads on chickens and winter time....even winters in alaska. i'm just concerned that they will not be use to these colder temps. and
2. do u guys think Cricket will remember me? we've been apart for 6 months. i am SO VERY EXCITED to be getting them back!!!!! even if she's lost her tameness....i will work with her.
3.she has been just used for egg laying....no attention really....will she still be tame?
4.they have been exposed to roosters......can i hatch their eggs? (i am hopefully getting my incubator back as well).
5. will they get egg-bound with their day long trip?
thanks to everyone for your help and advice!! i'm so very happy!!!

 

[jenifry]

YAY!! It's always good to be reunited with a friend!

The only questions I can help you with:

They will adjust to cold climate just fine.

They will only produce fertile eggs for a few days, so get that incubator in a HURRY.

 

[chkinut]

thank you SO much for your reply!! i appreciate the help!! i'll be getting my incubator on the same day i get my girls. anyone else? please chime in!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Congratulations on getting your pets back! What a nice Christmas present!
1. how will they adjust to a colder climate? will they be ok? i've read all kinds of threads on chickens and winter time....even winters in alaska. i'm just concerned that they will not be use to these colder temps. and
The temperature difference should not be enough to cause them a problem, NC lows tend to be in the 20s, so not that much warmer at times. As long as the girls are in good shape and have a secure draft free coop, they should be fine. With only two you could also consider bringing them in the garage etc during the night if the temps dip really really low the first couple of weeks.
2. do u guys think Cricket will remember me? we've been apart for 6 months. i am SO VERY EXCITED to be getting them back!!!!! even if she's lost her tameness....i will work with her.
I would bet that she will remember you. I know some of mine that my friends have remember me after not seeing me for a couple of months. She maybe upset and put out from the trip though, so don't be disappointed if she is spooky and wild the first few days
3.she has been just used for egg laying....no attention really....will she still be tame?
She will probably have to settle into her new routine, but if she was that much of a pet and that tame six months ago, I bet it will not take her long to settle back into and appreciate her new plush life
4.they have been exposed to roosters......can i hatch their eggs? (i am hopefully getting my incubator back as well).
If the roosters have been doing their job, the eggs should be fertile, they say up to three weeks, but usually at least a week to ten days with any luck... sure would be worth a try.
5. will they get egg-bound with their day long trip?
If they are healthy they should be OK, if they can feed and water them during their trip that would be really nice (I usually put mine in dog crates with food and water dishes, they will eat/drink out of them)... if they can put the girls in there a couple of times to get them used to it, it would be nice, put them in the crate and give them some treats and then just let them out. They may stop laying a day or two after the trip though, just because moving and all the associated stress will sometimes make them stop... do you know if they are in or have just gottten over a molt with their age?