Can i leave my chickens alone?

[Chicken Cluck]

I was thinking of planning a week long vacation...... but idk what to do with the chickens. My dogs are able to have a sleepover with their "Aunty" and I'm going to set an automatic feeding machine for my fishies. As for my 5 hens, they're all hardy and get spoiled with love everyday. Nothing can get in to their area of the yard so no problems with predators. I got one of those 7 gallon waterers and 25 pound capacity feeders that refill by themselves. Is it ok to leave my chickens alone for the week, or do i have to get another sitter?

 

[wvgal61]

I would at least have a friend or neighbor come by and check on them, and gather the eggs. Have fun!

 

[bumpershoot]

got any kids in your life you can hire just to check on the hens water and food? We are rural here and I just post a "need a chicken sitter" sign out by the mail boxes. Local kids are hot to earn a couple of extra bucks and there's a bonus if I come home to all of them alive and in the right pens.

 

[Texasboy4ever]

I have 5 gallon waterers and I change the water every other day if they don't drink it all. It really gets nasty with all those beaks in there

 

[Prettiest Frog]

Try your local 4H. I've had good luck with that.

 

[TeriNick50]

We've left our 4 hens on their own for 8 days and had no problems.
They were ticked off when we got back, but got over it as soon as we gave them a treat!
The nesting boxes were filled with eggs but that didn't stop production.
Only one egg was cracked.

Believe me, I was nervous about leaving them alone for that amount of time.
Their coop is inside a covered pen so they go in and out at will.
To keep them entertained, I covered the pen dirt floor with straw and threw in a bag of sunflower seeds.
I also picked up a "Flock Block" for them to peck on.
A head of cabbage was hung from the rafter.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I would never leave any animal alone for a week w/ out someone checking on them a few times. Things happen to 'auto' feeders and waterers! Could Aunty come stay at your house or drop by to gather eggs and check on the girls? IF not, maybe a neighbor or a friend.. I am just a scared cat when it comes to my animals.. I actually pay my neice to come by twice a day, when I am out of town..

 

[teach1rusl]

COULD they be okay...sure! But I wouldn't risk it. I'd find someone to come by once a day for a ten minute check on your birds. Since they really wouldn't have to do any work, I'm sure you could find someone. And since they're spoiled chickens (as mine are...lol), seeing a person who could throw them a handful of treats each day will keep them people oriented.

 

[TeriNick50]

Quote:
Hmmmmm ... keep them people oriented?
I don't think they lose their sense of people after no exposure for a few days, but maybe some breeds do.