Getting ready for a vacation is a major ordeal around our house with all the animals. Luckily there is a girl that my DW works with that comes and feeds the kids. I don't however let my birds free range so they don't have to be "put up" eveynight. That and I have a 120 lb chicken security force that helps keep and eye on things. His rule is if he can't eat them then absolutely nothing else can either!