Chicken sitter

[Michaelamarie]

I’m going out of town for one night. I’m having trouble finding someone to put my chickens to bed and let them out. They free range. I’ve posted on social media and my neighbor is elderly. I can’t find anyone willing to do it. My first question is, how bad would it be to just leave the coop open one night? Secondly, is there a chicken sitting website I’m missing?

 

[N F C]

You might try posting on your state thread to see if there is anyone close to you that would be willing to do it. There's a link to the state threads at the bottom of this post.

For myself, if it was one night, I'd put them in the coop and then let them out when I got back home. They should be fine for overnight.

Leaving the coop door open even just one night is putting your flock at risk for predators.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If it's just putting them in/letting them out, why can't an elderly neighbor do it? I had my neighbor do the same for 3 days, and being that she's retired and right next door meant availability wasn't an issue.

 

[Michaelamarie]

You might try posting on your state thread to see if there is anyone close to you that would be willing to do it. There's a link to the state threads at the bottom of this post.

For myself, if it was one night, I'd put them in the coop and then let them out when I got back home. They should be fine for overnight.

Leaving the coop door open even just one night is putting your flock at risk for predators.

I will try posting there, thank you for your help

 

[Michaelamarie]

If it's just putting them in/letting them out, why can't an elderly neighbor do it? I had my neighbor do the same for 3 days, and being that she's retired and right next door meant availability wasn't an issue.

My neighbor is 90, deaf and can hardly walk. Guess I should have been more specific for you. Please don’t comment unless you can help with someone’s question. Your comment was useless.

 

[Weeg]

My neighbor is 90, deaf and can hardly walk. Guess I should have been more specific for you. Please don’t comment unless you can help with someone’s question. Your comment was useless.

Wow, I don't think that it was useless, I think that the poster was offering a realisitic suggestion. Things can come off frank over text, but I didn't think that she was accusing you, or arguing at all.
I may have said the same thing.
Please note, I'm not trying to argue either, just saying that I think there was a miss-understanding there.

Either leave them in a let them out when you get back, or see if you can find someone who will help. It think leaving the door open is very risky.

 

[Michaelamarie]

Wow, I don't think that it was useless, I think that the poster was offering a realisitic suggestion. Things can come off frank over text, but I didn't think that she was accusing you, or arguing at all.
I may have said the same thing.
Please note, I'm not trying to argue either, just saying that I think there was a miss-understanding there.

Either leave them in a let them out when you get back, or see if you can find someone who will help. It think leaving the door open is very risky.

Wow, I don't think that it was useless, I think that the poster was offering a realisitic suggestion. Things can come off frank over text, but I didn't think that she was accusing you, or arguing at all.
I may have said the same thing.
Please note, I'm not trying to argue either, just saying that I think there was a miss-understanding there.

Either leave them in a let them out when you get back, or see if you can find someone who will help. It think leaving the door open is very risky.

What was her realistic suggestion? I already said in my original post I cannot ask my neighbor.

 

[Weeg]

all my neighbors are elderly. I can’t find anyone willing to do it

What was her realistic suggestion? I already said in my original post I cannot ask my neighbor.

I want to restate that I am not wanting to start an argument.

You didn't state you couldn't ask, or that your neighbor had limitations. I think she was sharing a personal experience, and making a suggestion without knowing the full story. I don't think that we need to get irritated with someone trying to help, even if they're suggestion doesn't work for you. Its easier for everyone to simply say, "I don't think that will work...."
Sorry, I may have made a short post long, just trying to avoid an argument. It makes it easier for us to help you, and you to get help this way. I do hope that this doesn't come off as frank.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You said "neighbors"

all my neighbors are elderly.

I cannot possibly know your specific situation. Best of luck finding a sitter.

 

[Weeg]

You said "neighbors"

I cannot possibly know your specific situation. Best of luck finding a sitter.

This exactly, is my point.