LEAVING CHICKS ALONE FOR A WEEKEND???

[Redline]

We have an 10 ft hi chain link old dog run with the coop 4 feet off the ground. I'm not sure about predators...I know coons are around and possums but we are in a suburb with the coop in the corner with 3 neighbors yards around us. Maybe the predators just haven't found us yet. I think I'll get a sitter I have too much time and emotions invested in this. So my next question is what about fireworks? Our neighborhood has a fair amount of this going on. Do the chickens get scared? What do we need to do to make them more comfortable with this if anything?

 

[annek]

Mine haven't been exposed to fireworks yet but around here you do hear gunshots. They do hear it and stop what they are doing to listen. If it is close and goes on for a while I am sure it will scare them. Don't know what you can do about it though.

 

[Redline]

Thanks, I'm not so sure I like the fireworks here some people are really into the big bang. I'm thinking maybe we should just stay home this year instead of going camping. I probably wouldn't enjoy myself much form worrying.

 

[Chickenmaven]

This will sound mean, but you don't leave them unless you don't care or are willing to risk losing them... I ALWAYS set up a sitter. I know an older lady who is thrilled to get $15 per day to open the coop/feed & water/shut them in. I am thrilled to have her & tip accordingly...

 

[GoldenSilverLaced]

Here is a link to the posts about leaving chickens/animals for the weekend, somewhat related:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=187879&p=1

My own recent experiences with out former pet sitter are in there. We recently (this past weekend) used Fetch! pet sitting for the girls, and it was great. It is a franchise that operates in many areas, so it may be available for other chicken owners. I got a report card for everyday I was gone with a paragraph about the girls and what time the sitter showed up, repeat emails with my invoice and reminders about my scheduled pet sitting (very useful...I used to call my former pet sitter close to the time I was leaving to make sure they remembered to show up). $15 per visit, minimum 30 minutes of time with your pets, for an unlimited number of animals (so if my parakeet and finches were also there, it would be $15 for all of them. This time they were at a friends, but in the future they will be watched by Fetch!). Here is the link:

www.fetchpetcare.com

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

My DH and I went away for the weekend at the beach last weekend and one of mine died. Then this past Tues. my sister and I went to the beach with the kids for the day and came home to one dead so I will be having someone watch mine from now own.....

 

[gotpoodle]

Depending on where you're located, you can also go to petsit.com, which is the web site of Pet Sitters International. Enter your zip code on the pet owner's page, and see if there are any professional pet sitters in your area.
There will always be good and bad in any profession, but most of us who belong to PSI are insured and have references. (yes, I own a pet sitting business!

)

 

[GoldenSilverLaced]

PSI is how I found Fetch! actually

 

[2DogsFarm]

I checked the Fetch site and although they do have a location near me (25miles) they don't seem to mention - in their Services or Testimonials - care of animals aside from dogs & cats.

I did email the location closest to me and will be interested in their response.
Besides the 5 pullets, I have 2 horses and 2 cats (one inside, one barncat).

I do have a wonderful & reliable horsesitter who also feeds the barncat but I don't know if she'd be comfortable looking after the chickens too.

My next trip - Dad-sitting in CA while my brother takes a vacation - is mid-July so I need to start planning now.

 

[GoldenSilverLaced]

They didn't mention birds on my local one, but the sitter(s) (2 came in case the regular one couldn't make it, so 2 different people would be familiar with our girls) visited with us first and we showed them the girls and let them out so that they could see how they behave and interact with everyone/thing. They did not have any experience with chickens but they were gung-ho and took great care of them as far as I can tell.