How much would you pay for PET/CHICKEN SITTING ?

[foxinachickenhouse]

We have a few people, friends and acquaintances mostly, that we use for house/pet/chicken sitting. We pay $30 per day for 1 elderly dog that needs meds and extra cleanups, 4 cats and 12 chickens. $20 per day without the dog included (ie. if we have taken the dog).

They stay in the home mostly, water garden and greenhouse and do airport pickups and drop offs. For the most part it has worked great. We always have backup plans in place just in case the sitter no shows. Neighbors double check for us that things are going ok and the sitter gets a list of phone numbers of people that can step up in an emergency. This has been invaluable, once a sitter failed to show up for over 2 days and the neighbor noticed with his watchful eye and stepped in to take care of things. Needless to say, we never used that flakey person again.

Usually, the people are younger, living in a roommate situation or do this kind of thing for extra money. We have the benefit of living in an urban area and know a lot of people so that helps. If I had livestock and the people had to drive a distance to my place, I would pay $40-50/day. It is the price of peace of mind.

 

[fifelakelooper]

I paid a old friend to drive to Mi. from Indiana and house/pet sit. She took dog for daily walks and fed/watered/cared for my chicken flock for 22 days. I paid $280 total. (cheap I know...family friend however). Meanwhile...I came home to lawn mowed, house cleaned (windows washed!!),chicken run raked, 3 coops cleaned...they were fantastic. They got to enjoy our Traverse city area to make it good for them...went sightseeing...etc. I did not ask them to clean...just care for pets...total WONDERFUL surprise!! Husband and wife team.

 

[Beekissed]

I bet! I too would find it worth the money to have someone who lived in, took care of everything just like I would and left the place better than they found it. Worth more than money, really. How nice to come home from a vacation without missing a beat...just walk in, pay the help, sit down on the couch and breathe a sigh of relief!

 

[sonew123]

Quote:

I would have snuck them more money somehow! You had the ultimate caretakers!!!!

 

[nubbin]

We have the luxury of not having to close and open the coop. We're in Hawaii so don't have a predator problem. The chickens put themselves to bed at night and are able to come out in the morning when they're ready. So we only need one visit a day to check food and water and gather eggs. If we are away for a few days then we have a friend who can come by and we just treat her to dinner and some wine when we return, but I would pay $10-20/day for someone to come depending on how long they spent during the visit. We are small scale though, just 3 chickens.

I think it's reasonable that someone would pay your travel expenses as long as it was comparable to the service you're providing. This is a little different than what you're asking but if you do have travel money you can do a 'life' trade with someone where you go to their house and they go to yours. That works if you're also somewhere someone might want to visit. I'm part of a network of dance teachers that do these types of trades so that they can travel but still have someone sub their classes.

 

[lorain's fids]

For the past 5 years, I have been paying my daughter, (now 21) $20.00 a day to watch all my animals when my husband and I go away. Although now that we have the chickens I will probably have to up the pay to $25.00 or $30.00 per day. She does a wonderful job taking care of all of them and the house, and it is a great way for to to earn extra money. I would love to actually find a back-up person for pet sitting, I know my daughter will not want to pet sit for us forever, but with having German Shepherds(2) and a Macaw, turtles, fish and now chickens it won't be easy finding someone.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:

I would have snuck them more money somehow! You had the ultimate caretakers!!!!

I should have...but we were broke from traveling all over out west! I do have auto open and close doors on the coops which made it easier. They said they had fun and would do it again so I'm happy if they are!

 

[sonew123]

Quote:

I would have snuck them more money somehow! You had the ultimate caretakers!!!!

I should have...but we were broke from traveling all over out west! I do have auto open and close doors on the coops which made it easier. They said they had fun and would do it again so I'm happy if they are!

Can I have their number?

 

[P-Funk]

A family friend who happens to be a horse trainer stays at the ranch when I'm gone. She works for eggs! And loves to stay here! Two weeks ago there was was an incident - the puppy broke his leg. I took him with me on my last road trip but would have anyway. I'm sure it wasn't her fault, he was just being a puppy. And she paid his first 2 vet visits.

 

[galanie]

My neighbor watched my chickens and two cockatiels while I was away for a week last year for free! Course, when they are away, I watch their cats for free. But the cats don't take nearly as much care as the chickens and cockatiels do. Pays to have good neighbors.