What to do with birds when I go to college

[silkielover5]

My parents and I toured the university of MN today and it got me thinking about what I'm going to do with my flock when I go to college in less than 2 years. It's not an option to keep them at home cause my parents don't like them and I'll be an hour away with no car. I've been raising them for 4 years now spending every penny I got on them first from babysitting and then my job, I can't imagine selling all if them and having to restart 4 years later after spending all that time and money. I have a total of 32 show quality silkies, showgirls, Cochins, and rosecombs. Any ideas to at least keep some of them???? If not i might as well start cutting back now instead of investing more money on my birds

 

[4 the Birds]

My parents and I toured the university of MN today and it got me thinking about what I'm going to do with my flock when I go to college in less than 2 years. It's not an option to keep them at home cause my parents don't like them and I'll be an hour away with no car. I've been raising them for 4 years now spending every penny I got on them first from babysitting and then my job, I can't imagine selling all if them and having to restart 4 years later after spending all that time and money. I have a total of 32 show quality silkies, showgirls, Cochins, and rosecombs. Any ideas to at least keep some of them???? If not i might as well start cutting back now instead of investing more money on my birds

Fried chicken meals?

Don't your parents like the fresh eggs?

You could have a neighbor or friend come daily to collect eggs and tend to the birds. A few dozen fresh eggs every day can be an incentive.

 

[roostersandhens]

hmmmmm..... You should ask the collage if they allow chickens. I dont know how you would put a coop at the collage. I have an idea on convincing the collage to allow the chickens! Say all the eggs can go to the collage!
Good Luck!

 

[Presidential]

You've just got to let them go. You'll be in a new phase of life, with no room for chicken keeping. Things will circle back around and when you are ready, you'll have chickens again!

Call your local Extension Office to inquire about making a donation to a 4-H'er. What a wonderful gift to give a child interested in learning about chickens!

Good luck to you in college!

 

[cochins1088]

Hi,

I was actually thinking about the same thing the other day, but I was able to find a well known college 45 minutes from home and I do have a car. I can't imagine giving up my birds and just like you, I've invested a lot in them.

Since they are showquality, maybe you could find a few people to continue your lines and hold the birds for you. If they can offer a good home, they would probably care for your birds in exchange for the eggs and chicks that they are able to hatch and then return your birds as well as maybe a few younger ones to you once you have completed college. I'd be willing and I imagine lots of others would be too.

If I hadn't found a college close to home that I like, I'd be in the same situation since my parents hate the chickens. Mom has never liked them and wants to get rid of them. Dad doesn't really like them either, but he supports the hobby and is willing to pay for the feed. I keep mainly cochins as well as some ducks and pigeons and I just hatched out a sebastopol gosling yesterday.

 

[jdywntr]

I like cochins idea. See if you can find someone that will care for and breed them and then down the line when you're ready you could get some chicks from your line. I would think this would be easiest if you were able to find a friend that wanted them. Otherwise, donating to the local 4H is a good idea. I would start looking for a good home early, even if it means you don't have any birds for a while. Better to find a quality home than to have to just give them or sell them to who knows who.

At this point in your life alot of things are going to be changing. After college, you will begin your career and you could get job offers in an area that you aren't expecting. Just starting out may make it hard to afford to have a place that allows chickens. Just keep in mind that again, one day, you'll be able to indulge in chickens again.

 

[silkielover5]

Thanks guys I am in 4h so I know a lot of little girls that would love them. My parents agreed that if I cut way down to my best birds they would take care of them. The rest would defiantly go to 4h members

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Collage is still a ways off for me...but I can't imagine parting with my birds. And with my interest, and I don't know if there is any collage near me. I hope my parents will take care of them!!!!