Are You Tied Down by Your Birds? What about Vacations?

[BigBlueHen53]

My MIL who lived with us passed away recently at the tender age of 90, and we really miss her. When we had to be away, sometimes even just for a day, we knew our dog and the chickens were well cared for in her capable hands.

It is harder now without her but we are blessed to have another relative living just a couple of miles away who comes morning and evening to do the necessary chores. We take care of their dog when they travel, and they keep the eggs, so everyone is happy.

I did not know automatic doors existed till coming here. We may look into that, then the relative would only have to come once a day to gather eggs and feed the dog.

 

[BYC910]

I agree, it's a worry. If we are just going to be gone for the weekend we make sure they have food and water, and we have an automatic coop door opener we can operate from our phones. My husband is techy so actually I have a live camera in the coop too.
If we are gone longer than that though we have a local teenager who has chickens come over and check on things. We pay her $20/day. I want goats but haven't gotten them for this very reason, I don't feel like I could leave town and leave them.

I haven't been away from here for more than 24 hours in over ten years . But more because it is much harder to travel with a autistic son . Once my pastures are all set I wouldn't worry about leaving my goats with only my dogs to protect them. Cows horses goats, and sheep are fine with plenty of water and pasture .The dogs would need to be checked on . Chowhounds dog feeders work very well .I would want the dogs checked at least every other day .

try and have a system that allows you to only look at them for the number of days you expect to be gone. Try out the food and water several times before you leave to make sure they do not run out of either for that length of time. now go and try not to worry.

All of mine are in close as I can get them to predator proof pens. Since my last coyote strike I have added six dogs too. Todays puppies make it eleven .Poultry needs fresh water . You can skimp on feed a little bit , water needs to be the priority. Beware of the five gallon float type waters from TSC . A tiny piece of trash on the float seat will let all the water run out on the ground. As far as feed you can just pour it on the ground. Give them more after they clean it all up .If free ranging I give them very little feed .

 

[mowin]

Thanks for the recommendation. I looked at this feeder. Does the feed just drop down from the hopper and you put a container below to catch it? The ducks will eat out of the container?

That feeder spreads, throws the feed. Depending on how it's set, it can throw the feed a few feet, or 30 feet. I guess you could make some sort of shield without a bottom, and place it around the spinner. Feed would hit that shield and drop into a pail or container that the birds could eat out of it.

 

[Creteloc]

I know it's for dogs, but we used Rover.com to find someone to come take care of our 10 hens. They collected eggs (which I let them keep) and then let them out in the morning and in at night. They just charged us the same as they would for house-sitting a dog.

 

[legojenn]

Interesting thread. I'm lucky to have a neighbour who works from home and loves the birds and the eventual free eggs that she'll be getting. I've got bird sitting if I want it. It was a factor in deciding whether to get birds or not.

Also, she has asked to borrow the birds to eat up her back yard during the day. Unless there is a reason to say no, I'm okay with allowing them to free range in her yard/garden.

 

[thumper650]

Great thread! I used to travel more before I had ducks, I find that I really miss them when I’m gone! My brother is moving to the same town I’m in, only a mile away, so I’m excited to have a duck sitter near by.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I used to travel a lot in my younger years. At my age, I'm kinda happy to have an excuse to be "tied down." Sorry, can't go, my chickens .... you come visit ME, lol.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes they tie me down, but I love it.
I detest vacations!
I'm always the planner, packer, fun finder...blah,blah,blah etc.
It is never a vacation for me if anything i'm stressed out worse.
Bless those goofy birds.

 

[red horse ranch]

I used to travel a lot in my younger years. At my age, I'm kinda happy to have an excuse to be "tied down." Sorry, can't go, my chickens .... you come visit ME, lol.

Right on! At 70 years young I think it's time for relatives to come to ME, not the other way around.

 

[WilmaP]

This is a concern we're facing now. We love to travel in our RV, but not sure how to handle our "free-range" gander. Not many people around except us, so he's not really socialized. Letting him out in the morning is easy - but getting him back in his enclosure at night could be a real problem!