What Happens When the Chicken Keeper Is Sick?

It is early summer and the new chicks arrive. The family is excited, everyone making promises of the duties they will take to make sure everything is taken care of for the flock. 9-weeks later, out of the brooder and into their coops and runs, the work gets harder keeping fresh water at all times, food filled, health checks, attending to individual issues, cleaning the coops and runs, and butt cleanings. Everyone seems to be able to find something else to do but take care of the chickens…. but, the Chicken Keeper. The Chicken Keeper is taking main responsibility for the chickens. This works, until, the Chicken Keeper gets sick.

It is Christmas Eve when you realize a family member is sick. Christmas Day for this household is officially cancelled as they cannot go infect more people. A day later, family member number two is sick with the same symptoms; and we now know the flu is spreading through the house. There is only one more family member who is not sick; at least yet, the Chicken Keeper.

The chicken keeper begins to panic; family member one and two can hardly get out of bed, if/when I get this; who is going to take care of my chickens? I didn’t plan for this…how could I not plan for this? The chickens, especially the speckled Sussex, do not like strangers, so getting someone to help at this stage of the game is not an alternative. Henrietta still cannot get up on the roosting bar by herself – am I going to be able to help her? In the middle of treating vent gleet with one chicken, etc.…. the panicked thoughts never stop. Shift thoughts to the family who may be well by the time the chicken keeper is sick. That would work right? Kind of, but it is not ideal. They would get the basic done, right? I would hope so. The family already thinks the Chicken Keeper spends too much time, money and effort with the chickens. It is almost better to have a stranger that doesn’t have these predetermining thoughts. Enough of this, I still am not sick, what can I do? Make sure water feeders are sparkling clean and full, same with the food supply. Coops and runs are cleaned daily, so if one day it is not done, it’s not a tragedy.

This is a true story and happened to me. I was fortunate, I was the last to get sick, so I had time to plan. I was also hit with only about a day and a half of sickness and my family did get the basics done. But what if I was the first, or worse, it hit all of us at the same time? The time to plan is now. I realize everyone can’t do all of the items listed below, I am one of them. I do not have any “chicken” people around me – if fact, most of my neighbors are actually scared of the chickens; which is difficult for me to comprehend.

Below is list of basic preparations below:

1. Make a list for those who will help:

Routine Tasks

• Food: Where it is, how much and frequency
• Water: Locations of water stations and where the water source is to refill, and how often to clean water containers
• Grit: Where is it stored and where to refill
• Cleaning: How to clean coops and runs and refill flooring (pine shavings, etc.…), where to disposed of poops/shavings (compost, trash, woods, etc.)
• How to identify a chicken that may be sick (in a basic way)
• If there is anything to be turned on/off, lighting, heating, etc.
• Contact information for the vet, and location of the transportation containers.

Exceptions: may need to be verbally communicated

• Example: “Chicken Little is being bullied right now by the flock, she sleeps in nesting box”. “Henrietta’s leg is healing- she needs help roosting at night”.
• Example: “The chickens are sneezing, so please put a couple drops of VetRx in each water container.”

2. Keep it Simple: If you keep your flock management manageable, it will be easier for someone else to manage it if this is needed.

3. If you have a neighbor or family member who is willing to help, give them the list, have them do the task list with you at least a few times, and have them spend some time with your chickens. If you can get a community together, this is even better.

4. Don't let tasks build up: We often get busy with the emergency tasks, tasks that would cause death, expense and damage. Keeping up with the non-emergency tasks will help if illness occur. Also, keep water and food fresh and full everyday so that if illness hits, the first day isn’t as difficult.

5. Automate if you can; doors, watering, etc.

I realize this is not a comprehensive list. The intent of this article is to simply tasks for the chicken sitter and get you to think about planning if you have not already.
If you would like a comprehensive template for contingency planning, the University of Minnesota's is attached.