I plan on leaving chickens alone at least one week

[Heron's Nest Farm]

I would put it together with as much run as possible. Then I would make sure to have a week test run with the water and food. If the food doesn't fail and your water is FOOL proof, you are fine. If eggs build up it's no the end of the world.

Your hens should be 7 months +. Older hens know what to do. A week of confinement in a smaller run with adequate supplies so as not to cause food aggression is fine. 400 sq ft for a week, with access to larger ground the rest of the year will suffice.

15 birds is totally manageable. If you can I would have someone check in on them 1/2 through to check the water. No water will kill your hens.

I Thinking ahead is wise. You don't want to be trapped by beloved pets.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would put it together with as much run as possible.  Then I would make sure to have a week test run with the water and food.  If the food doesn't fail and your water is FOOL proof, you are fine.  If eggs build up it's no the end of the world.

Your hens should be 7 months +.  Older hens know what to do. A week of confinement in a smaller run with adequate supplies so as not to cause food aggression is fine. 400 sq ft for a week, with access to larger ground the rest of the year will suffice.

15 birds is totally manageable.  If you can I would have someone check in on them 1/2 through to check the water. No water will kill your hens. 

I Thinking ahead is wise.  You don't want to be trapped by beloved pets.

Thanks!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I'm feeling good about this, the birds will have 24 sq ft each, good advice to wait til they are 7 months and for sure I will know how long the food and water will last. Thanks

 

[Kwitt319]

I am only asking this because I don't know!

What about the eggs? What happens to them if you don't collect them everyday?

I have always had someone come at least check on them once a day, when we leave. Usually it's just a welfare check to make sure all is well. They get the eggs to keep for their trouble. A few times in the summer it was insanely hot and the water needed refilled twice.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I am only asking this because I don't know!

What about the eggs? What happens to them if you don't collect them everyday?

I have always had someone come at least check on them once a day, when we leave. Usually it's just a welfare check to make sure all is well. They get the eggs to keep for their trouble. A few times in the summer it was insanely hot and the water needed refilled twice.

I plan to have a roll out nest box so the birds will not be able to get at the eggs, so no egg eating. It is my understanding that the eggs can stay out unrefrigerated for a week with no problem. I am planning to put seedling warming mats hooked up to a thermocube in the egg collection area so they will not freeze while I am on the beach in Hawaii in Feb, well thats the plan anyway and I am talking feb 2018 because the chicks will not be here until spring 2017. I am in the planning phase now and the BYC folks are great

 

[Adalida]

I am only asking this because I don't know!

What about the eggs? What happens to them if you don't collect them everyday? 

I have always had someone come at least check on them once a day, when we leave. Usually it's just a welfare check to make sure all is well. They get the eggs to keep for their trouble. A few times in the summer it was insanely hot and the water needed refilled twice. 

The one time I left for a week, it was cold but not freezing so I just figured the eggs could pile up. I've never had a problem with chickens eating eggs fortunately.

 

[jennyf]

We used a petsitter for daily welfare checks, but she wasn't a "chicken" person if ya know what I mean so I didn't want to rely on her for too much, just food and water checks. I add a second water source as a backup--have an automatic door and I wanted to be sure if there was a malfunction, they had food and water in both areas. We have sand in the coop and I planned for strip and removal when we got back since I figured it would be pretty gross with no scooping while we were gone. Also added poop boards--you may want to consider that to keep a little cleaner while you're gone. We also have a neighbor do a quick scan into the backyard each night to make sure everyone was securely locked in coop and auto door was closed. Sounds like you should be set up!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

We used a petsitter for daily welfare checks, but she wasn't a "chicken" person if ya know what I mean so I didn't want to rely on her for too much, just food and water checks. I add a second water source as a backup--have an automatic door and I wanted to be sure if there was a malfunction, they had food and water in both areas. We have sand in the coop and I planned for strip and removal when we got back since I figured it would be pretty gross with no scooping while we were gone. Also added poop boards--you may want to consider that to keep a little cleaner while you're gone. We also have a neighbor do a quick scan into the backyard each night to make sure everyone was securely locked in coop and auto door was closed. Sounds like you should be set up!

My coop will be 3 walls open to the run so no worry about a pop door not working, poop board or hammock may be a good idea though.... I plan on deep litter no poop boards, I would rather turn the litter with a pitch fork than scrape poop but maybe a hammock that attaches with hooks and eyes made out of cheap burlap I could even toss it when I get back.... You guys are great thanks !

 

[carlf]

I think you have a pretty sound plan. I would advise two water systems. like noted, no water will kill them. Having redundancy is never a bad thing.

I've left my hens for a week before multiple times. But I also have a dog in the back yard. Only time i had a problem is when the dog had to go to the kennel for the week, possum got one hen while we were gone.
Now I have a neighbors kid feed the dog & pick the eggs for $5/day. Hes happy, parents like the eggs and my pets are happier.

 

[kgb6days]

All this is good to hear. We are headed to Florida for 2 weeks in January. I'm in the southern part of NC, but it does range anywhere from the 50's to the teens during the day in January. I have family that can check on my chickens and assure they have food water and eggs are gathered, but I worry still about freezing water. Lots of good suggestions.
Kristy