Question about going away on vacation

[ChickenCharmer]

Going on vacation is probably my worst problem in keeping chickens. They are all free range and are locked in a coop at night. I have someone open the door in the morning and close it at night, and if that person is a little late, a raccoon could get in and begin to slaughter his way thru the coop. It's happened before and i'm not eager to let it happen again. thus, when I'm on vacation, I'm always worried sick, because there are a-million-and-one possible ways for my flock to get killed.
My next solution is to keep them all locked up in the basement, safe from predators, so at least I can sleep easier.

 

[cmom]

I leave my pop door open. I don't worry about any critter getting them when they are on their roosts at night because there is a pit under their roosts covered with field wire, so no predator is going to negotiate the wire to get to a roost that is 4 ft high. My run is also covered. I have gates on both sides of the run. One side opens into their yard. Also I have electric around the outside of the fence of their run and their yard.

Since this picture was taken I have re-done the roosts and have one higher up. Also I have moved the coop, run and their yard. I raised the coop up a foot off the ground and have added more strands of electric wire around their run and yard.. A possum attempted to dig under the wire. It isn't going to try that again. It did scream when it came in contact with the wire.

 

[desertgirl]

This is exactly why I suggested using this site to set up some "Critter Sitters" for us when we go out of town. Maybe look on people's profile and PM people near you? That way someone who knows something about chickens can help you out, and you can repay the favour if they ever get a chance to go out of town.

Worth a shot...

 

[moonflowers]

I think I lucked out. One of my best friends told me she'd come over and let them out/pen them back up every day as well as make sure they have fresh food/water. I trust her, especially since I saved her dog from being to frozen to death this winter.... she had a house sitter but asked me to drive by every once in awhile to see if things looked okay. I drove by one night and saw her little just-shaved Yorkie out in the driveway freezing. It was 7 degrees outside. So I picked Biscuit up and her little paws were like ice. I called my friend and she returned from vacation that night! I think I can trust her to take care of my chickens. Really they should be good on food and water anyway for a couple days. Thanks for all the advice, I might try the lettuce pinata thing anyway in case she sleeps in

.