Need advice- leaving chickens alone

[mapel walnut]

So I can only care for my flock half the week and when I had just ten birds I didn't feel to bad about letting a family member care for them but now I have 54 birds and terriblle systems so I was wondering if there was any suggestions. My goal would be that they would be able to stay by themselves for a week. Most helpfully would be: food/water and security ( Guard dogs aren't a option).

 

[Debbie292d]

I would never leave my chickens without someone else to check on them daily, but here's how we feed/water ours enough to last nearly a month.

You'd need either bigger buckets than we used or about 4-5 of each for 54 birds.

We have several 5-gallon DIY nipple buckets. We put 1/2 teaspoon RV water freshener in it so it doesn't get slimy.

For feed, we have several 5-gallon DIY with PVC feeder ports in it.

The nipples and ports we bought on Amazon.

I would look for a sale on some solar motion lights.

Do they get to go out in a pen? Do you have an automatic door or are they all locked up in the coop 24/7?

 

[chooki]

I have a rooster flock living on the farm. We only stay on the farm occasionally, so the roosters are by themselves often. The longest is about a few hours short of a week.

We have 3-4 feed stations for 4 of them, 2-3 water places, using strong steel mesh on the inside and timber on the outside for their coop with steel mesh skirt to prevent digging.

We also put a smaller chicken coop for them to sleep in and dog kennel inside for the one lower on the peck order to hide.

With 54 birds, you need a gigantic coop, ideally separated in a few areas. Personally I would put in at least 10 feeding stations and at least as many water places to give bullied birds some chance to eat and drink.

I have roosters, that makes things easier. There are other questions that you have to ask yourself. What are you going to do with eggs? What if one of your hens start having reproductive issues?

If you must, you can start with a system that you think could work, then improve upon that, make the period between you visits longer and longer while fixing on the issues that you do not foresee as you go.

 

[Mrs. K]

It is not ideal, and you may loose a few birds. I do think you need to re-evaluate. Sell 15-20 laying hens at $10-15 dollars a piece and then use that money to update your systems. A lot of people on here, have a camera system to watch there birds, it might be worthwhile. As long as the set up works, it works, but I have also gone down to the coop with things spilled and tipped over, or storm damage.

If you have a smaller flock the chance of loosing a lot of birds goes down. Over crowding can cause bullying/victims, food shortages, and water can be lost due to tippage and egg eating.

The thing is, it is much better to keep a smaller flock well, than a larger flock poorly.

Mrs K

 

[Yardmom]

I put feeder ports in a large garbage can. I can put 150 pounds of food in it. I use multiple 5 gallon buckets with nipple waters. With the waters I would not want to rely on just one. This set up is designed for an occasional vacation. I still have someone look in on the birds each day.