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How Long Can Chickens be Neglected?

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post #1 of 6

4/23/09 at 9:47am

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Weasleymum

Location: Virginia
Joined: 8/2008
Posts: 193
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I may have to leave town for a few days this weekend, and don't know what to do with my girls! Based on our patterns, I *think* they would be OK if I left the door between the run and the coop open so that they could get in and out, and left them with plenty of food and water, and I am trying to find someone to come by and check on them at least once while I'm gone. Other than that I don't know what to do. This is not a planned trip but for a funeral; I really don't have any back-up. It's supposed to get really warm this weekend, almost to 90 degrees, so I'm worried about the water.

Oh, and this is my set-up:

4 birds, 9-11 weeks old
Small, portable coop with attached run, inside our fenced backyard. I've been moving the coop every 2-3 days to give the girls fresh ground.

Urban-dweller with two little kids, two dogs, and five chickens: two Marans, three Buff Orpingtons.

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post #2 of 6

4/23/09 at 10:00am

Julie08

Location: Ontario, Canada
Joined: 5/2008
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if you were leaving for the weekend IE leaving saturday morning returned Sunday evening I would say that would be okay if you filled up a few waterers and feeders just before leaving and tended to them as soon as you return but I wouldnt change it any longer then that specially with chicks so young, I think older girls would be okay for that length of time

In my house, if it comes out of more then one can it's considered homemade!

post #3 of 6

4/23/09 at 12:30pm

sherrydeanne

Location: At my computer, where are you?
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Do you have to refill your feeder and waterer daily? I do mine about once a week, and they're just the 3 gallon size. I don't think they'll even notice you're gone, honestly. If someone can come check on them, it couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't drive myself crazy about it. 4 or 5 days would be a whole different story.

-- Deanne
Mom to two sweet boys and fun flock of 2 WL's, a BO, a Sp S, an Aust, a col Wyan and a Del.

post #4 of 6

4/23/09 at 12:54pm

Glenda L Heywood

Joined: 4/2009
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with the set up you have they should be okay
just so the neighbors dogs don't come over
the heat would be too bad for the chicks
so you will have to leave te door open
besure and prop something up against the door so it doesn't close on them
leaving some out side

fill two waterers at least and feed
they should make it

Glenda L Heywood Brookings SD
frizzlebird7@yahoo.com

post #5 of 6

4/23/09 at 12:58pm

EweSheep
Flock Mistress

Location: Decatur, IL
Joined: 1/2007
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I agree with the others and they will be fine over the three day weekend.

I've done it a few times during the summer months while I went for an reenactment that would last three days. Everyone is fine with doubled up waterers and feeders.

President of the Welsummer Club of North America & BYC Member since 4/11/2002 and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens

post #6 of 6

4/23/09 at 2:20pm

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Weasleymum

Location: Virginia
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Thanks for all of the answers, yall! I appreciate it. We've decided that I should stay in town, though, instead of attending the funeral, so it won't be an issue after all...

Urban-dweller with two little kids, two dogs, and five chickens: two Marans, three Buff Orpingtons.