How do you go on vacation with chickens?

[SkyAJK]

There is a pet hotel here that charges $5 per chicken on normal day, when it is school holiday or like Christmas, it is $10 per day per chicken. Food provided by the chicken parents. They just house and put out feed and water.
Say 10 chickens x $5 per day=$50 a day for 10 feather kids.
Vacation for 5 days x $50=$250
I have not use this service as it feels rather arm length kind of service. Chickens are too tender and fragile for this distance.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

First year I only had 8 juveniles so I filled feeders and waterers for the 5 day trip.
Second year I hired the neighbor and paid well for every other day checking. Gave her all of the (fertile) eggs and she hatched out a new flock of Bielefelders for herself.
This year my son is pet sitting dogs and chickens for 2 weeks in January. One pup has arthritis so bad he needs to be assisted with stairs and I don’t trust a kennel with him like that. I’ll pay him, buy food and drinks. I’m just so appreciative of the help.

 

[paintedChix]

Oi. I'm a bit confused.

Do you purchase all your chicken feed, toys, bedding, feeders & waterers only on line? If from a feed store, is it more than an hour away like the farms are?

I'm just a lot surprised that no one has mentioned your feed store or even pet stores. Even if all employees know nothing about chickens, they should be able to follow instructions. Some would, I would think, and you can ask next time you pick up feed & bedding. Most receive only minimal/minimum wages & even if they don't know much (anything?) about chickens, armed w/ your instructions, the link to BYC & your phone #s, they should do great at your "job" requirements. Who knows? You may create a new chicken afficiando!!

Besides 4H, there is also both the Ag & Livestock sides of FFA (Future Farmers of America). You can check with the instructors, for reliable youth. They pay their own way to different functions, so cash or donations go A LONG WAY. Even JROTC youth may be interested. Most are VERY reliable - if not at high school level, then college level.

Check with NJSU or other AG based institutions - they should have contacts.

Even if only small animals vets around you - they will also have contacts for livestock vets or people who would be willing & able to fulfill your specialized instructions.

Sounds like you have enough time to make your lists, contact & interview folks & be set for your vacation. If you truly don't find anyone who meets your standards, you have time to restructure vacation plans (even w/ kids).

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

That is such an excellent idea!!! I've been reading this thread because I have to go to my grandson's wedding next year. I do have neighbors, but I'm so picky about my chickens. I will definitely look into 4 H.

Picky about the chickens is my middle name

 

[Squawkers]

Picky about the chickens is my middle name

Me too!

 

[C Siena]

When I had my 1st flock of 6 baby chicks, I was over the moon and it had not ever enter my thought about how am I go on a vacation until I wanted to take a long weekend at the beach. I realised then that I can not leave the coop's door open at night and unattended chickens.

I then went on to get more chickens due to chicken addiction condition. Now it is too late to do anything about it, except wait until the flock scaled down naturally, that is I am not getting more along the way.

I miss going to the beach early in the morning, but I can not do it anymore as my girls are screamer, they scream at each other fighting for 1 nest box and leave the rest of the boxes emptied. I have to mitigate that so it does not upset the neighbours. Any outing for a few hours must be done after the egg business, I am confine to my chicken egg laying schedule.

I realize this is 6 months ago. Have you ever tried placing a fake egg in the nest box? I put golf balls in most boxes and those are the ones the hens want. I have one that yells at the others no matter what but out of 17 layers, that's not bad.

We're thinking of buying 2 auto pop doors, an expense but it would allow our elderly neighbor to check on them in the morning, to make sure the door opened, and in the evening to make sure all are inside.

 

[SkyAJK]

I realize this is 6 months ago. Have you ever tried placing a fake egg in the nest box? I put golf balls in most boxes and those are the ones the hens want. I have one that yells at the others no matter what but out of 17 layers, that's not bad.

We're thinking of buying 2 auto pop doors, an expense but it would allow our elderly neighbor to check on them in the morning, to make sure the door opened, and in the evening to make sure all are inside.

Yes, I do have fake eggs in all the nestbox, but you know chickens are so....

It is winter over here and we USED to take long weekend stay at the beach to warm down. Since chickens enter our lives...that is no go anywhere. I do miss it when I am so cold like this winter, but I will not trade those fluffy butts for the beach.....

Moving forward...we have 13 now and when there number reduced, we might take a long weekend stay at the beach.

 

[C Siena]

Yes, I do have fake eggs in all the nestbox, but you know chickens are so....

It is winter over here and we USED to take long weekend stay at the beach to warm down. Since chickens enter our lives...that is no go anywhere. I do miss it when I am so cold like this winter, but I will not trade those fluffy butts for the beach.....

Moving forward...we have 13 now and when there number reduced, we might take a long weekend stay at the beach.

I found this is searching for youth Ag in Australia. Similar to FFA (Future Farmers of America). You might be able to find sources for young adults interested in ag, to help care for your flock when on vacation.

Future Farmers Network
https://futurefarmers.com.au

 

[SkyAJK]

I found this is searching for youth Ag in Australia. Similar to FFA (Future Farmers of America). You might be able to find sources for young adults interested in ag, to help care for your flock when on vacation.

Future Farmers Network
https://futurefarmers.com.au

Thank you. I have looked it up and they are in my state, a few hours away. I will look further into what they do and check it out.

 

[C Siena]

Thank you. I have looked it up and they are in my state, a few hours away. I will look further into what they do and check it out.

Also ask if they have satellite offices at schools/universities etc. They may have some local offices. Your six states are Huge! Vast! I would hope that the Agricultural Dept, would have more than six offices. Hopefully.
I may also contact a vet and local schools/universities for young adults in an ag program. We would like to travel for a few days, 3-4 times a year and I want someone reliable.
If you find something, post if so others in Aus can also know.