Caring for a flock if you go on holiday

[Nashelle]

Hi all, I was wondering how you folks manage a flock if you go away. How many feeders and water troughs do you have? I have nine hens and a rooster and I've never left them before so any advice would be welcome.

 

[sourland]

I pay an animal caretaker to come in and check on/care for them daily.

 

[WingItRanch]

I have a coop with an automatic door and predator proof run. I've only left for 5 days max so far but I put out multiple feeders and waterers. Whatever you think you need, double it just in case. For 5 days, I had a 5 gallon waterer, and 2 different 1 gallon waterers for 10 pullets and a cockerel. They had plenty left when I returned.

My first time leaving, I asked someone check on them midway through just for my own peace of mind.

Edited to add: make sure you trust your waterers. Those 5 gallon wateters you can buy at TSC or other farm stores often leak or get clogged.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Ive left for week during the summer. I left out a gallon watere that was hanging up. A bowl with water. Then i have a large 7-8 foot pipe that holds water and runs to cups for the chickens. A large rubber bowl with food along with a little giant (40lb?)feeder. And had a neighbor come over every 2 or 3 days just to make sure they were good. They always had food and water.
I have a automatic door but also a enclosed run so wasnt to worried.

 

[KyCoop]

We purpose built our coop , run and chicken yard with vacation in mind.
I have automatic doors on the coop and run. I put out extra water in several locations in case one leaks. I fill the feeders as much as they will hold.
The dog sitter only needs to gather the eggs, do a quick 10 head count and throw out some scratch.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would not have chickens if I could not leave them for a few days or more. I have multiple feeders and waterers and I could leave for two weeks and they would have enough. My coop is big enough to lock them in. Yes something could go wrong, chickens die when I am around, nothing has ever gone wrong when I have been away.

 

[Nashelle]

Thanks for your replies. My chickens have an inside sleeping area, another inside space where they can dust bath and eat and a long outside run covered with net. They have one rodent-proof feeder at the moment but I don't mind buying another one. If rather not bother anyone for help unless I absolutely have to.

 

[bearcreekbees]

You can put out all the feed and water that you want, but you should still have someone come check on them, and collect eggs. Not collecting the eggs for several days or longer can create a whole 'nother set of problems.

 

[jreardon1918]

Hi all, I was wondering how you folks manage a flock if you go away. How many feeders and water troughs do you have? I have nine hens and a rooster and I've never left them before so any advice would be welcome.

I have 11 hens. I went away twice this past summer. I have two waterers. Both with horizontal nipples. They are 5 and 2 gallon. That lasts more than a week. I have two feeders that also last more than a week. Most importantly, my neighbors comes by every day to collect eggs, check on the girls. There is backup feed and water if they need topping off. Hope this helps.

 

[McChooky]

Installing a camera that sends alerts to your phone wouldn't be a bad idea.I rarely make trips but if I did I'd get one myself