Can I Vent here? Housesitter Disaster!

[fallenweeble]

maybe also, because your family, she figured she could "get away" with slacking off? (you can't fire her from being your sister right?)
but certainly it's horrid!
so sorry about your babies. i'd be totally angry too.
she's getting coal for christmas next year for sure right?

we never go anywhere because i'm scared to trust anyone with all the "kids."

hang in there!

 

[SpottedCrow]

A nice steaming pile of broody poop would be more apt, Weeble.

 

[Hotwings]

It is really hard to find people to take care of your animals let alone livestock. Not many know how, so it is wise to get to know your neighbors. My bbf Freebie and her husband livestock sit for her neighbor up the road alot and she has 5 horses, 1 dairy cow, 3 goats, 3 dogs and a assortment of housecats and barn cats to take care of. It isn't easy to find people to deal with large farm animals. They livestock sit and have to do this and work full time jobs plus take care of their animals. They sometimes trade instead, for instance the last time they took care of their animals they traded for a time when they go away they would look after theirs. I guess alot of farm families are asking vacation? What is a vacation? lol.

 

[wegotchickens]

I swap out with a neighbor for pet sitting. She has 3 cats & 2 dogs. We have 2 cats & 7 chickens. So it comes out pretty even, and we save $ while not worrying about our pets. Plus, the pets are already used to us since we see each other all the time. I'm really grateful for this, since it's a comfort not to worry about things while you're supposed to be having fun!

 

[Galaxie_Man]

We got lucky I guess. DW and I went away back in November, and one of DW's co-workers house sat and took care of all the critters. She is an early 20's college co-ed cutie, that goes to UConn, but DOESN'T DRINK! (Whaaaaaat??) Anyway she did a great job, the house was clean and the animals were healthy. We'll definitely use her again if she's available.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

We all know that know no one will every take care of our critters like we do, otherwise we wouldn't love them enough to be on the internet chatting about them all the time! I am sure my family would do what I call a "half-way" job of taking care of mine...I have a work trip in april just for two nights and I have been dreading it for weeks because of my chickens, lol! Guess we will all just have to make our own National Lampoon Chicken Vacation and tie them in a cage in the rocker on top of the car!! All kidding aside, I am sorry that your babies were neglected and my heart wrenches at the thought because I do understand and believe that we are the only ones that would treat chickens like "pets".

 

[Smoky73]

I am lucky. Our older neighbors have 3 horses, 2 goats and a slew of dogs. We feed the horses offten while they work or are at church.
We went on vacation last year twice (first times since we were married, in 2001) Anyway, the neighbors are people who "save" everything. They have the one eyed horse, the last one they got was a rescue and a goat as well as one of the dogs. They feed their horses 4 times a day! I knew that they would NEVER let anything bad happen to the anmals here as a matter of fact, they OVERFEED the animals. My goats were so plump when we got back I thought they were due to kid! LOL.

 

[OHChick]

wow, sure makes me feel lucky. we have a little girl around here (i think she's 18 or 19) who takes care of our farm when we're gone. she has started up a little business and takes care of other people's critters too. she does a nice job.

we don't, however, have her take care of the house pets. usually they go to the kennel or my MIL handles them. my MIL does not take the same amount of care with my dogs that i would, but they are fine and seem to enjoy her so i let that slide. (usually).

glad your chickens are okay, i'm sure they missed you.

 

[pattycake]

I've only left my chickens once, last summer for a week, and it was great -- she was a terrific young girl and everything was as if I was there. Don't give up on housesitters in general -- just make sure you get a good word-of-mouth recommendation.

There are lots of good people out there who do this for a living, or part-time living, and I'd hate to see the whole profession trashed!!

 

[silkiechicken]

You're frustration is understandable. I am gone 5 days of the week and my little brother has to watch the birds. My mom has to pick up after him though! He'll be 20 in two weeks so should be able to do 4 things on his own. Open door, add food, add water, remove eggs, close door. In that order... not too hard to do!