How Long Can Chickens be Neglected?

[Weasleymum]

I may have to leave town for a few days this weekend, and don't know what to do with my girls! Based on our patterns, I *think* they would be OK if I left the door between the run and the coop open so that they could get in and out, and left them with plenty of food and water, and I am trying to find someone to come by and check on them at least once while I'm gone. Other than that I don't know what to do. This is not a planned trip but for a funeral; I really don't have any back-up. It's supposed to get really warm this weekend, almost to 90 degrees, so I'm worried about the water.

Oh, and this is my set-up:

4 birds, 9-11 weeks old
Small, portable coop with attached run, inside our fenced backyard. I've been moving the coop every 2-3 days to give the girls fresh ground.

 

[Julie08]

if you were leaving for the weekend IE leaving saturday morning returned Sunday evening I would say that would be okay if you filled up a few waterers and feeders just before leaving and tended to them as soon as you return but I wouldnt change it any longer then that specially with chicks so young, I think older girls would be okay for that length of time

 

[sherrydeanne]

Do you have to refill your feeder and waterer daily? I do mine about once a week, and they're just the 3 gallon size. I don't think they'll even notice you're gone, honestly. If someone can come check on them, it couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't drive myself crazy about it. 4 or 5 days would be a whole different story.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

with the set up you have they should be okay
just so the neighbors dogs don't come over
the heat would be too bad for the chicks
so you will have to leave te door open
besure and prop something up against the door so it doesn't close on them
leaving some out side

fill two waterers at least and feed
they should make it

 

[EweSheep]

I agree with the others and they will be fine over the three day weekend.

I've done it a few times during the summer months while I went for an reenactment that would last three days. Everyone is fine with doubled up waterers and feeders.

 

[Weasleymum]

Thanks for all of the answers, yall! I appreciate it. We've decided that I should stay in town, though, instead of attending the funeral, so it won't be an issue after all...