New chicken mama with questions

[Cglenn04]

Hi everyone! I’m Connie from Cedar Hill, TX and I have three ~5-6 week old pullets and two keets about the same age. I’m excited to go on this journey with you all! I have already learned ALOT by reading these threads.

One question I have... I have a small coop with good ventilation that is inside a 8’x8’ cage that we use as the run. We will be going out of town for nine days when they are about 3 mos old. If I have someone come check on their food and water, would they be okay if they’re left inside the coop for those days with no access to the run? Thanks for your advice!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal community!
How warm will it be? Even with ventilation, I would recommend letting them out in the run.....Can your 'helper' come in am and pms?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Connie, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Leaving them locked in the coop in the TX heat for that long is an extremely bad idea. I would ask the helper to come twice a day to let them out and put them back in.

 

[Cglenn04]

Thanks, y’all. I really really hope I can find someone to help. I was trying to take the path of least resistance, but I don’t want to do that at the expense of my chickies.

 

[Leahs Coop]

Hello Connie, and a warm welcome to Backyard Chickens! It's great to have you here with us!

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks, y’all. I really really hope I can find someone to help. I was trying to take the path of least resistance, but I don’t want to do that at the expense of my chickies.

Vacationing is one of the cons about owning chickens. You can also try to find a local 4H kid who loves chickens that might be willing to help out for free.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Welcome to BYC! "This is the place with the helpful chicken folks!" (sung to the theme of ACE hardware store)

I have an automatic chicken door opener for my coop. It helps me not having to go and open/close the door twice a day. I use this one:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=automati...399690&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_2nqv1zn5js_e

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Heat is one factor not to keep them confined to small coop while you are on vacation. The other issue is that the chickens will lack space and access to some ‘chicken activity’ and may start pecking and injuring each other or worse

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Have you considered contacting your local 4 H organization and asking if they can recommend a reliable member to check on/care for your birds during your absence ?

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Sourland's suggestion sounds like a very good idea to me.