chickens went all day with no food or water

[nursemeh]

I guess I just wanted to vent and also see if anyone has ever had an experience like this.
I work a 12 hour shift every Saturday. I always get up and let the chickens out of their inner pen and set out there fresh feed. Well, this morning I left earlier than usual and it was pitch dark outside so I asked my daughter to remind my husband to feed the chickens.
Well, he's very busy on some work project and he didn't even go outside all day and when I got home, after dark, I asked him about feeding the chickens. Not only did he NOT feed them. He didn't even ever let them out of their inner pen so they had no access to water at all all day long. In his defense-the chickens are "my" project and he isn't in a habit to tend to their needs. I blame myself completely that I didn't make sure it was done.

I just felt sick about it and still do. I think how they just must have been so miserable all day. They are 5 in a small coop with a small inner pen, aprox 8x10ft. Usually they have water inside their small inner run but I had just taken it out to clean on Friday. They always have access to water in their outer/large run- where they spend most of their time. Every day I let them out to a huge run and then usually they free range in the afternoons before roosting time. Anway, they usually are spoiled with treats and free ranging, but today they spent all day stuck in their sandy small run with no water. It was a cool day, thank goodness for the cold front, but I am still very concerned for them.

I just feel awful and I am mad at myself and my husband, cause he was home all day and didnt even think about them and I just wanted to share with other people who might care, cause I can tell my husband just doesn't "get it" althought he is certainly sorry about it happening.

anyway, I feel like I can hardly sleep, worrying that they might have been so stressed today and that they might be ill. I went out and put water inside their coop where they roost- but they were already "in bed" I know they will be up early ready to drink though- and they will have a huge meal ready for them.

So sad.... this is my first big failure as a chicken minder,
Mary

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Last May, we went camping for three days. We paid our 15 yo nephew to feed and water the animals. He lives next door. Spent a day showing him who and how and how much. We got back, the water was dry, the feed bags were as filled as when we left, and the alfalfa bales were still intact.

4 cattle, 2 sheep, 4 ducks, 2 turkeys, 35 plus chickens, 2 dogs, and 4 pigs.

It was hot, but not too hot. Lower 90's. But can you imagine running out of food and water on Friday evening and not getting more till Sunday evening? We were lucky none of them died.

We were livid.

 

[silkiechicken]

One day w/o food and water in a cooler part of the year should do them no harm.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I'm so sorry, but I am sure they will be okay.

I do feel that your husband could help you out when you need help. Maybe, you can get him more involved with them, he might actually enjoy them. My husband didn't do much with the chickens until I got Silkies, and he loves them.

Did your daughter remind him?

 

[DDRanch]

Oh, so sorry you have worried so. Your solution to keep water in the coop and in the pen is a sensible one. That's what I do too.

Sorry your hubby isn't not supportive. Perhaps a neighbor or close friend might be enlisted to help when needed.

 

[twentynine]

Won't kill'em. They may have been thirsty and hungry when you got home, but they will survive.

 

[nursemeh]

thanks for the replies!
They were definitely hungry this morning! But all seemed ok, not really grouchy even, just appreciative!

I will now always have water for them in the coop. And somebody will make sure they get fed-if I am not here from now on.

It's nice to share with people that understand, they are more than livestock, which of course deserve proper care, but they are more like pets to me and I was just so sad at the thought of them just confused all day, wondering why the "magic door" wasn't opening like usual!

 

[jafo]

Does your hubby eat the eggs they produce? Does he like them? You might wanna remind him that they come from YOUR project.

 

[beckyschicks]

Don't get me wrong I have a very supportive husband but in the mornings when I work early and he doesn't I ask him to feed the animals. Well he does except for my chickens!!! He has to walk right past them to get to the other animals! Well this doesn't happen everytime but lately more than less. I get home by 1 usually so they don't go that long without and they usually have something from the day before left but...thats not the point. This was a great post to see today because it happened today so.
After I feed them and went into the house and called him to ask, he said he forgot. I reminded him that he needs to remember. He said that they were fine and that I feed them to much anyway.

So after my phone call I went into the fridge and took out the chinese leftovers that are very precious in our house and that I know that he was saving for himself and feed them to the chickens. When he asks I'll tell him that I feed them to the chickens and now their happy and I'm happy.
It's the little things that work to make them realize that this is important because if I'm happy, everyone is happy.

Oh and nursemeh your not a failure as a chicken minder, things happen and then we fix them and move on. Don't blame yourself.

 

[eastbaychicks]

So happy to be reading these posts... I did it too. I confess.

My birdies let me have it when I came home. Oh and they refused to give up the eggs for a few days too. Punishment.