Possibly Moving...What to do with all my girls?!?!?!?

[TallJ]

We started keeping chickens about a year ago. We have loved it! However, it appears my husband may be changing jobs for an awesome opportunity. So, we may be moving, cross country, to an area that does NOT allow backyard flocks. (Oddly enough, the city allows flocks, but the burbs we would be in do not! ugh!!)
I have 9 girls of various breeds that are a year old, and 17 that are about 14 weeks old. We have a lovely Amish built 5x8 coop. I feel like we have a lot invested, plus we are very fond of the girls. I know my son will be heartbroken. But if DH takes the job, it will be very good for our family long term. Has anyone else ever faced this? What did you do with your girls and coop? I wish we could take them with us, but it just wouldn't be possible.

 

[Stiggy]

You could try re home them with friends or family, or place an add/ sell them. however does all of the subberbs have the same stance? it seems weird, maybe it could be worth looking into ( over here in the city you are allowed a max of 12 hens) if the differing subburbs have differing rules then it maybe worth looking into moving slightly over/ out.. it seems unfair to have to give up your family pets, but sometimes it must be done, especially since most people don't consider them pets

 

[TallJ]

All of our neighbors already have 20-40 chickens. (We all had a lot of losses last summer.) No one can even give away eggs! LOL
We are out in the country about 1.5 hrs from DC, and a lot of our friends and family live in more suburban areas down the road where they can't have hens.
The job is in the 'far northwest' Chicago burbs. From what I can find online Chicago allows chickens, but only 1 'burb in that area does, but it isn't convenient for the job area.
I would also have concerns trying to move them cross country.

Our goal with the move would be to be able to buy land in a few years. Then we could have them again.

 

[Stiggy]

ahh I see, well that's unfortunate then. I guess sometimes something has to give, be it the travel time of the chickens, I take it that you cant get realitives to look after them? chickens travel quite well as long as they arnt to hot/ squashed in and can have food/ water ( mushy bread and some grain work well for both aspects

 

[CarolinaShep]

If I were closer I would take them for you. I'm in SC though.