Going on vacation- help with sitter

[California Girls]

I wanted to go away for the weekend, my birthday coming up. My chickens are 14 weeks old. I need to leave them with a sitter.

Any tips?
Thanks

 

[Imp]

Make sure whoever sits for you is responsible. And write out the instructions for care.

Imp

 

[technodoll]

I agree with Imp.

Write out the instructions very clearly, and go through the tasks & routines with your sitter at least once before you leave so that she has on-hands experience. Have her clean the water, refill the food, clean the bedding, close the coop up for the night or whatever it is you do with your flock. Ask for a written daily report, leave an emergency phone number and then enjoy your vacation!

 

[Schroeder]

If you had an automatic chicken door you could leave for the weekend and not have to get a sitter. They are expensive but man are they convenient.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I found last winter that my chicken sitter benefited from the "local contact" number that I gave her. Inexplicably, she had my house keys in her hand, when she walked into the coop. My roo attacked her, knocking the keys from her hand and into 6 inches of "deep litter." Luckily, she was able to call our friend who has a set of house keys. The sitter's set of keys materialized a couple days later...

I also created a check list for her, based on an article in Backyard Poultry.
My feeling is that I would rather HIRE someone & have them take on my birds as a bonified job.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I'm getting an auto. door for Christmas. But I'm a worrier, and power outtages, etc. happen. So I will still find someone to stop by and check on my chickens...

But what everyone else has said already, type it ALL out step by step w/what you want done, especially if the person is not use to chickens.

 

[gkeesling]

We go away for short get aways from time to time. So that my "chicken sitter" doesn't have to much problem I set out extra water so that they don't have to mess with that and only have to put in feed, get the eggs and check on the chickens to be sure they are ok.

 

[LynneP]

A check list is a must, and in case of emergency, a hopper feeder and a large waterer.
If there are outstanding repair or maintenance issues, be sure they are done before you go.
I'd also give the coop and extra-special cleanup and treat the bedding with the stable product of your choice.
In addition to pay, offer eggs.
If you get an excellent sitter, you'll want to use this person again!

 

[Puck-Puck]

As someone who often looks after other people's critters, I appreciate:

-knowing where feed is kept
-enough feed etc. to actually last for the amount of time the person will be away!
-written instructions if medications are to be given, or if everyone's feeding schedule is different
-knowing where clean-up supplies are (this applies more with puppies)

-the cell number of the person gone away, or a local contact, if things go screwy (like a water main bursting, who would expect it? But it happens.)
-if you're not issuing a shed key, don't lock the shed where the feed is kept!!!
-going through everything step by step, so that between owner and sitter, someone is more likely to catch something that hasn't been explained, in a timely fashion
-having pen and paper available, for notes of any occurrences while you're away. This is both a courtesy to your sitter and a favour to yourself.

The animals themselves are usually easy to deal with. It's the human error factor that can throw a real monkey-wrench in the works!

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Quote:
Where in Southern Cali are you? Near San Diego? I've been looking for someone to trade for chicken sitting. I have a good sitter out here, but sometimes she is overwhelmed.