Going on a trip, what to do?

[calebc311]

Our family will be going on a camping trip for 4 days. We have two chickens that usually free range when we are home. Our backyard is wider than it is long and has a wide variety of plants. As there is an unremitting danger of aerial predators and the risk that our comet may just fly out of our backyard as she has done twice already, we feel uneasy about allowing them to free range throughout the 4 days with no supervision.

The problem with keeping them in the coop/run for the duration of the trip is that my chickens are used to free ranging and can not bear the feeling of staying enclosed in a tiny area. Whenever we lock them up for any reason, they start hectically pacing about the wire and go mad. I honestly can not imagine what it would be like to keep them in there for 4 consecutive days.

I have a friend that can look after them, but I fear that my chickens may get into fights with my friend's birds (she has 3 buff orpingtons, another friend has an Americana and a BO). If I leave them in my place, I have a kind neighbor that can periodically look after them once or twice a day.

What should I do?

 

[petrel]

Unless you could construct a larger temporary run, it sounds like you may need to impose on the neighbor. It is a big favor, especially considering that he or she may have to deal with a run away hen. Perhaps your friend could back up the neighbor.

For our first vacation outing, since getting chickens, we formed a chicken support group of neighbors, other friends and family. I think our flock got more attention that week than they ever get from us!

 

[Hayduke27]

Having chicken sitters available is invaluable! Give them lots of eggs, even pay them if appropriate, but never underestimate the value of a responsible chicken sitter. That is your best option.

Don't ask your friend to take them. Moving them in with another flock will be highly stressful on all the birds.

 

[bobbi-j]

Leave your chickens home. Keep them in the coop/run. They'll be fine. They won't necessarily be happy, but they'll be get over it. What is the size of the coop and run?

 

[donrae]

Leave your chickens home. Keep them in the coop/run. They'll be fine. They won't necessarily be happy, but they'll be get over it. What is the size of the coop and run?

This. If they've got at least 20 feet or so, leave them home. As humans, we have to do things for our animals they may not like, but we make the decisions. Just like parents

. Yes, they may fuss, but they'll get over it a lot faster than you'd think.

 

[calebc311]

Yes, I'm probably going to leave them at home, but the run is VERY small (definitely not 20 feet, maybe 12 at the most). Since I only have a couple chickens, they should be fine.