Should I take my chickens with me when I move?

[Sue Gremlin]

I am moving from Michigan to Connecticut in a few weeks. Our new property has bears about, we saw some big, big piles of bear scat when we were there.
We have had good luck with our coop design in southern MI, but we do not have bears here. Are we going to just move them to have bears attack our coop? Should we find homes for them all? What say you chicken people?

 

[DickMidnight]

where are you moving to in CT?

i’m in fairfield county. we have bears in the area, but not so much as a raccoon has bothered my coop.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

where are you moving to in CT?

i’m in fairfield county. we have bears in the area, but not so much as a raccoon has bothered my coop.

Litchfield county.

 

[Folly's place]

usually rehoming your current flock will work out best, for them and for you. Is there a good coop and run all set up at your new place? With electric wire around it to help with bear proofing?
There are likely health certificates and testing that needs to be done ASAP, taking them across state lines. Find out Monday! Moving poultry, or any livestock, across state lines can be complicated.
Mary

 

[Krugerrand]

There are likely health certificates and testing that needs to be done ASAP, taking them across state lines. Find out Monday! Moving poultry, or any livestock, across state lines can be complicated.

It's worth reading that one again. You don't want to be the person that starts an outbreak among the neighbors flocks.

 

[McChooky]

You'll need 6 or 7 strands of electric fence spaced 8-10 inches apart to keep bears out. You'd also have to keep it baited or they'll walk right thru it.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

You'll need 6 or 7 strands of electric fence spaced 8-10 inches apart to keep bears out. You'd also have to keep it baited or they'll walk right thru it.

What do you mean by keeping it baited?

 

[Folly's place]

Bacon or something on the strands of hot wire, so the bear tastes it and gets zapped. Fur is so dense, might not make contact with the critter any other way.
Mary

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I live in CT and although there are bears throughout the state, and maybe a couple that pass through my yard, I'm not worried about losing my flock to one. Litchfield county in CT is Beautiful and much more rural. I dont know what to tell you about what people in Litchfield county do for bear protection, but whatever it is, do that! Good luck!

 

[dawg53]

I am moving from Michigan to Connecticut in a few weeks. Our new property has bears about, we saw some big, big piles of bear scat when we were there.
We have had good luck with our coop design in southern MI, but we do not have bears here. Are we going to just move them to have bears attack our coop? Should we find homes for them all? What say you chicken people?

Whatever decision you make Sue, I hope you have a safe easy move to Connecticut.