How do you manage going away from home for a few days? - Page 2

i'm in similar boat.  we have to be gone for 3 days.  i don't have an automatic pop door.  you can't just get any ole body to take care of them.  it's pretty straight forward, but you have to do it. 

my thing is complicated by our two dogs.  as a general rule they don't let people into the back yard.

i really need to get this figured out, because while i love my chickens, i don't want to be completely tied down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erinszoo 

All sound like great ideas. I think I'll look into the 4H and FFA route both of which have big active groups in our community. I hadn't thought of that. My husbands going to ask at the co-op too. We're also, I think, revamping the idea of being gone for 5 days and instead going to turn it into a series of 3 day camping trips over the summer. Won't have the same "relaxation" factor but hopefully more mini breaks will help relieve some of the strain we've been under. I can't imagine never going away or on vacation.

I suggested those because I have 3- 4H-ers,one who is a FFA-er and goes to an aggie high school. You could make a small donation to their club and you might get a team of sitters. I know for a fact that they will take donations small and large.

Hopefully, your FFA kids are better than the ones around here. I bought my first rooster from an FFA kid who supposedly knew what he was doing. Geez, that rooster was filthy, covered in lice and favus, drinking black and disgusting water,  living in a mudhole in the woods with a huge turkey, and positively yellow-gold from eating only corn his entire adult life (he was a Barred Rock, my Hawkeye). I consider that purchase a rescue.

Honestly, I can't imagine spending big bucks to ever go on vacation and worrying about my chickens the entire time. I'm happier staying right here.
 

If teenage 4-H kids don't work out look for an older/retired couple. I found a distant neighbor couple that had chickens when they were kids so they were familiar with them.

They're retired but like to walk and my house is on their daily route so they were willing to stop in morning and evening to let the birds out/in and top off feed and water. I made everything as easy as possible for them (e.g. bringing a hose right up to the coop so they could fill the water with out lifting anything). 

And, then I repaid them with eggs and baked goods when we returned since they adamantly waved off money. But, who can say no to fresh baked bread?    It ended up forging a nice relationship that I've utilized for other reasons since then. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daisy8s 

If teenage 4-H kids don't work out look for an older/retired couple. I found a distant neighbor couple that had chickens when they were kids so they were familiar with them.

 

They're retired but like to walk and my house is on their daily route so they were willing to stop in morning and evening to let the birds out/in and top off feed and water. I made everything as easy as possible for them (e.g. bringing a hose right up to the coop so they could fill the water with out lifting anything). 

 

And, then I repaid them with eggs and baked goods when we returned since they adamantly waved off money. But, who can say no to fresh baked bread?    It ended up forging a nice relationship that I've utilized for other reasons since then. 

Sounds like a wonderful arrangement, Daisy8s! Wish I had someone around here I could trust like that.

Speckledhen, what about posting a request at places such as the local senior center or VFW hall? Or, better yet, ask someone at a local library or church if they have volunteers they know who are familiar with animals and live near you. I really like older/retired people as they are so much more responsible than teenagers--they won't say yes unless they can really do the job well. Good luck!

I've heard so many horror stories, I doubt I would ever trust anyone I didn't know very well to care for my birds. They're just too important to me.

My grown older son even has instructions to call a certain friend immediately if something happens to his dad and me suddenly--I threatened to come back from the grave and kick his butt if my birds go without water or food for even 5 minutes, LOL. My sons are not chicken people and one is overseas now, may not come back anytime soon. My friend will rally the troops and get my birds taken care of, in case of catastrophe. Other than that, I have no plans to go anywhere. We don't do vacation and I have no real desire for it.
 

In my minds eye, no one is able to care for my animals the way that I do.  That being said I am married to a 'traveling woman' so I had to find a workable solution.  We hire a pet caretaker who has an emergency back up person.  It is somewhat expensive, but is the only solution that I could come up with.  Without her I could never leave home.  I've tried the neighborhood kid, friend, relative routine - they did not work out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourland 

In my minds eye, no one is able to care for my animals the way that I do. 

Agreed 100%.