Does anyone go on vacation?

[kees]

Hi fellow BYC'ers,
I love my chickens but haven't been able to go away ANYWHERE because of not being able to get anyone to care for my chickens. Not event the high school kids or local neigbors. Even the local vet or vet technicians aren't interested. I'm going crazy because I'd like to go SOMEWHERE and don't know what to do. I can't afford to build a large chicken coop and have two indoor cats but would like to go away for a few days here and there. Can somebody help me?

Suzy

 

[debilorrah]

How many chickens? What size coop do you have? Also, have you tried looking for a pet sitting service? We are able to go away for a few days at time because we have a large feeder and watering bowl...

 

[Daycare Mom]

I have family close by that I beg to care for my pets when we go away for a few days. Maybe a neighbor who would like to make a few bucks or trade for eggs? Maybe you could find a pet sitter for a reasonable price.

 

[MagsC]

The most I am gone is overnight. I have had a time or two when I had to be gone a couple of night and had a relative check up on our pets.

 

[banter]

What's a vacation?

 

[kees]

Hey again,
I have no family members nearby and have tried my neighbors who are definitely not interested in helping out. The high schoolers where I am won't even do it because their parents give them so much spending money so that they don't have to get a job! Right now I'm down to one chicken and she has the whole yard to herself but I don't have anyone who can consistently let her in and out. My boyfriend is in Manhattan and we've snuck the chicken in before but that's a dicey thing to do as they aren't allowed. I want to get at least another chicken for mine to have a companion but that would be one more concern. I love my Silkie and don't want to part with her as she has been with me for a while and is extremely affectionate. I don't know what to do. Should I find her another home? I'm in the mid-Hudson valley but really, really love her.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
I know what you mean.

For the first time in 20 years I didn't take a week off. The best I got was a Friday through Tuesday morning over Labor Day weekend with some family in northern Utah... and many of those hours were spent driving up and flying back.

 

[jacyjones]

This year I paid a couple of students who are friends to stay in the house and look after the horse, chickens, ducks and rat for me while we had 2 weeks away. The dogs went to stay with a friend. The year before my older daughter was paid to do it but found the work too much of a struggle with a job and housework and trying to socialise. She is 19 and came on holiday with us this year to avoid the job!! It was so nice to be able to go away and not think about the animals knowing they were well cared for.

 

[halo]

Check with your local vets. Theres many many people who are professional pet sitters, who do just that, take care of peoples critters while they go away.

 

[schmije]

We've left ours overnight with extra food and water. For longer vacations we pay the teenager next door to come by and check on them. We used a pet sitter several years ago for our cat (before we had chickens or dogs), and that worked well. It was a little pricey in our opinion, but we'd do it again if we were in a pinch.

In my opinion, you should try to find a friend for your lone chicken. Taking care of two isn't really that much different than taking care of one, so it shouldn't make a difference for your vacation plans.