Has anyone left their chickens alone for a few days?

[Rootball]

They sell 300# range feeders. With one of those and an automatic waterer you could check on em like once a month.

 

[spotman47]

I've got a 35 lb hanging feeder and a couple of waterers that won't tip over, the feeder i can go about 8- 10 days without filling it and the rest they eat is from forage in there pen couple days shoud'nt be too bad but theres always the predator factor though!

 

[newchicksnducks]

We left our 10 chickens for 4 days in the coop. It is under the shade of several trees. We had two feeders (one 16# and one homemade feeder made from a 5 gal bucket) and two waterers. We did not allow our chicks access to the run. We had 2 ducks killed last month by a weasel while in the run. We did not want to take the chance of a repeat. The weather was not that hot though (mid 70's for the high), so heat was not an issue in the coop.

 

[Sitka]

I would suggest a backup waterer in case the main one somehow got knocked over. If they went without water it would be disastrous. When I have been gone I have gotten a 5-gallon bucket and drilled holes at the very bottom on the sides and set it in a metal pan--it makes a good homemade waterer (but cover the top of the bucket so they can't fall in, obviously.)
Good luck.

 

[hunterjumper999]

one word =

corn ( lets add some and say corn-on the cob!)

it's essentially moisture.

we feed the feeder full, extra waters and soak a BUNCH ( usually 20 for about 60 chickens) of corn on the cob

 

[Judy]

I'd say the trick is to have more than one waterer and feeder. Hopefully, if something unforeseen happens to one, there will be a backup. Waterers can get turned over and feeders can come apart and dump the feed.

The food should not go stale or bad if it is not exposed to rain or water.

 

[mendogurl]

We go away for as long as two weeks at a time. When I decided to go ahead and have chickens I designed everything chicken with that in mind.

I built the wooden bin feeder that I found here on the forum. Right now I am out of town for the next 9 days, and there is 150 pounds of feed in the bin (for 8 chickens). Ought to hold them for a little while.

I have two large hanging waterers filled to the tippy top.

When I built the coop I put in an automated door from the run to the coop, so that the girls could put themselves to bed at night and be locked up safely.We have some pretty big raccoons in our area, so our chickens can't stay out at night.

I hired my friends teenager to go by every couple of days, and give them a treat, and check their water and food.

My situation is probably more extreme than yours because I travel a lot, but it is possible to leave them alone, if you are willing to take a couple of extra steps.
At least it has been possible so far!

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Really appreciate this thread - we travel a lot too so am glad to hear it can be done.

Am going to search for that bin feeder...

 

[mendogurl]

I wish I had taken a picture of mine before we left.
I did a forum search for homemade feeder. It is made out of wood, has a sloping hinged lid
and a trough for the chickens to eat out of.
So far it is is awesome !

We attached ours to the exterior wall of the run. It is protected from rain by the roof overhang, because it has an open trough and is not portable, rain is something to think about. But you could always just cover it with a tarp.

 

[mendogurl]

Quote:
That is brilliant !