How do you manage vacations?

[Soon2BChixMom]

Of course I'd have to sit and watch your chickens and the lovely Muscovy's! But I'd have no problem doing so!
Anything is worth it when a car ride is involved.

I was exhausted after the drive yesterday. Lol

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Make a large capacity feeder, and a large capacity waterer. Have find someone to check on them halfway through your vacation, and let them keep the eggs.

I feel this wouldn't work out. I think they would need checking on at least once per day for egg collecting AND to make sure there haven't been any problems arisen, like a predator attack or escapees or knocked over food/water or other problems. Besides, you don't want eggs collecting in their nest over too long a period of time.

We plan on going on an extended 2-3 week vacation after the DH retires from the military. We intend on paying a house sitter and have someone stay here to care for the animals. It's just a safer situation rather than tossing out a bunch of food and water and *crossing our fingers*.

 

[Mylied]

I have friends and family that take care of things when I'm out of town. I have a whole mini farm worth of animals, but since it's a novelty for them, they don't mind. I give gas money and sometimes more, but most of the time they insist not taking money. I do let them keep eggs that they collect as well. It's rare that I'm out of town with my husband, so besides once or twice a year, he takes care of things while I'm gone. And the most we'll leave for is a week. I paid a pet sitter one time and they did a terrible job. I'd rather have someone I trust over.

 

[JanetMarie]

I've just found that I don't desire to go on vacations anymore. All the work involved in planning, packing, traveling, sightseeing is too exhausting!!

If we have to be away our neighbor who is an animal lover would take care of them.

 

[dpenning]

When I first got my chickens I was only here on weekends. I have a very sturdy shed that is predator proof and a fenced run with a battery operated pop door with a light sensor. I have a PVC feeder and a five gallon bucket with horizontal nipples for water. They are fine a week at a time with no attention. I have three nest boxes in the coop so if one gets full they move to the next.

We are here full time now so I check on them daily but it can be done with chickens for sure. The ducks are the wild card here. I don't speak duck.

 

[deepbluesea]

I have a couple of friends tag team it, let them keep all the eggs and have their pick of the herbs and veggie plants I've started. I also try to give cash, but am rarely taken up on it. It's good to have people you trust watch them--peace of mind is a good thing to take on vacation.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I feel this wouldn't work out. I think they would need checking on at least once per day for egg collecting AND to make sure there haven't been any problems arisen, like a predator attack or escapees or knocked over food/water or other problems. Besides, you don't want eggs collecting in their nest over too long a period of time.

We plan on going on an extended 2-3 week vacation after the DH retires from the military. We intend on paying a house sitter and have someone stay here to care for the animals. It's just a safer situation rather than tossing out a bunch of food and water and *crossing our fingers*.

2-3 weeks is along time and I would definitely consider a house sitter then. But, that will never happen with us. We are too much of a homebody.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have friends and family that take care of things when I'm out of town. I have a whole mini farm worth of animals, but since it's a novelty for them, they don't mind. I give gas money and sometimes more, but most of the time they insist not taking money. I do let them keep eggs that they collect as well. It's rare that I'm out of town with my husband, so besides once or twice a year, he takes care of things while I'm gone. And the most we'll leave for is a week. I paid a pet sitter one time and they did a terrible job. I'd rather have someone I trust over.

It is like the x files over here (old school). Trust no one.
We have a boarder that we do trust for the dogs. But, no boarder for ducks and chickens. Go figure.

 

[lazy gardener]

That, IMO is the biggest down side to owning chickens, and for that matter, other pets. We do a lot of day trips. If we were to go on an extended "away from home" vacation, I would get a house sitter to come and stay at the house for dog and chickens/plants. Even at that, I highly doubt that I would come home to find things done appropriately. It would be a gamble. We have an auto pop door, but such things can malfunction. I like to put water both inside and outside the coop to insure against such a possibility. Same with food when temperature allows me to do so safely. I never like to leave food out overnight. So, my flock would require tending 2 x/day.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

None of my friends are animal lovers. They tolerate my animals (I think). But, the other issue is drive time, like literally my friends don't live very close and neither does most of my family.