Going away a week! HELP!

[RubenRO]

Okay, so now our chickens are about 19 weeks, we are about to go a week camping with our tent. This means we will leave the chickens alone for 6 days.

We have 4 hens, laying eggs. I have a feeder that holds feed for like 8-9 days, so that's covered. I also made a waterer with nipples, a 13 liter bucket with 4 nipples.

I see them drink from it, but still not convinced they actually know very well how to drink from it. Because they free range during the day and find also other sources of water, I think.

But the bucket gets emptier by the day, so they must have figured it out right?

Today I locked them in their run for a day, so the third laying hen can get used to laying her eggs in the nesting boxes instead of our lawn.

When we leave, a neighbor will collect eggs and check on them daily.

The run is 4ft by 8ft, not really big, because normally they are free ranging. But they will be okay a week, right?

 

[DobieLover]

Okay, so now our chickens are about 19 weeks, we are about to go a week camping with our tent. This means we will leave the chickens alone for 6 days.

We have 4 hens, laying eggs. I have a feeder that holds feed for like 8-9 days, so that's covered. I also made a waterer with nipples, a 13 liter bucket with 4 nipples.

I see them drink from it, but still not convinced they actually know very well how to drink from it. Because they free range during the day and find also other sources of water, I think.

But the bucket gets emptier by the day, so they must have figured it out right?

Today I locked them in their run for a day, so the third laying hen can get used to laying her eggs in the nesting boxes instead of our lawn.

When we leave, a neighbor will collect eggs and check on them daily.

The run is 4ft by 8ft, not really big, because normally they are free ranging. But they will be okay a week, right?

How many chickens do you have? You mentioned the 19 week old pullets and 4 laying hens. How many pullets?
It might be pretty close quarters for those 6 days. What else is in the little run? Do they have things to fly up on and litter to scratch through?
The fact that you have someone coming over daily to check on them is a wonderful thing!

 

[RubenRO]

What are pullets?

We have 4 chickens, 3 of them laying. They have some branches they can roost on, and they do that.

The floor is a combination of hay, weeds, fresh cut grass, etc.

 

[DobieLover]

What are pullets?

We have 4 chickens, 3 of them laying. They have some branches they can roost on, and they do that.

The floor is a combination of hay, weeds, fresh cut grass, etc.

Pullet are female chickens under 1 year old. Cockerels are male chickens under one year old. They aren't referred to as hens and roosters/cocks/cock birds until they are a year old. That is what caused my confusion.
Just 4 should be okay. They won't like it but they'll be okay. Especially because you have some things in the run for them to do.
Will your care taker be coming twice daily, once to let them out of the secure coop and once to lock them back in or is your run predator proof?

 

[Acre4Me]

They should be fine for 6 days. Neighbor/friend should check water levels. Water should be in the shade so it doesn’t heat up causing them to not drink water. And, I agree, they need to be checked on/locked up in the evening.

Enjoy your camping trip!!

 

[Dan nich]

Definitely would not leave them alone depending on weather in your area! One time my 12 week old chickens coop got flooded with in 5 minutes of a down pour luckily I had not left for work yet what can go wrong will go wrong

 

[RubenRO]

The run is predator proof. We even leave the coop open also at nights, when we think about sleeping in next day. So they are save, also the run is covered and it has shade, open space, but also hiding from elements if needed. And we had some heavy rains, but no water is going to the run (it is slightly higher than the rest). Water is in the shade and the feed stays dry.

I can connect our water hose to the bucket, and it will stay at level, just worried about the hose heating up a bit.

 

[aart]

But the bucket gets emptier by the day, so they must have figured it out right?

Probably...especially if you know how much they drank daily previously.

I can connect our water hose to the bucket, and it will stay at level, just worried about the hose heating up a bit.

Not a good idea, IMO.

Might put out an open waterer too.
Can your chicken sitter change that out if needed?