Théo and the chickens des Sauches

[ManueB]

That sounds interesting. Especially if one of the chickens has a small issue that requires specific care when you leave. (I'm thinking of my four chickens with bumble foot last summer...)

I don't know if you have a local thread for NJ on BYC ? If you could identify active members who live not too far away from you, maybe they could also point you out to trustworthy people. But I think an open website dedicated to chicken sitters where people can let it know if they had trouble with someone is a better option.

 

[BDutch]

Goodness. Who knew?

https://www.housesittersamerica.com/house-sitters-pet-sitters/browse/chicken-sitters

It feels a bit scary to open my home and my pets to a stranger. But maybe I should consider it.

Sounds like something that could work if you can put your personal belongings behind a locked cabinet or in a locked room. Or close (lock) part of the house and not your whole house if you don’t feel comfortable with that. Adding a lock on/in a door isn't too difficult. Get to know this person in advance. Visit him/her in his/her house if possible.

Or…
Just open a barn if you have one, if you can find someone who lives nearby.

Try a local ad, social media friends, craigslist, ByC. You never know if there is a lurker on BYC who is interested?
Maybe ask for someone who lives really nearby, is retired and has / had chickens for several years. Or someone who has no job at the moment by choice. Ask people you know to spread the question.

 

[RoyalChick]

Sorry to derail your thread Manue. One more then I will shut up about this.
I think I need to list all the things the animals need. For example, overnight stay is not needed for the chickens and will upset the cats.
If that is what I have to have to get the other things, then OK, but I don’t need to start there.
Basic food and water I think I have sorted with some tweaks to my current arrangements.
What I think is missing is:
- health checks for chickens
- yard time for chickens with someone to oversee
- play with those cats that are interested in company
- ability to take someone to the vet if necessary
The lady who comes normally has a teenage daughter who seems to be an animal lover. I wonder if she would be willing to sit outside with the chickens for a few hours a couple of days a week for example.

 

[BDutch]

The lady who comes normally has a teenage daughter who seems to be an animal lover. I wonder if she would be willing to sit outside with the chickens for a few hours a couple of days a week for example.

Asking both the lady and the teenage daughter would probably be a lovely solution. Many teenagers love it when they get a job with responsibility where they can learn from.

 

[ManueB]

Sorry to derail your thread Manue. One more then I will shut up about this.
I think I need to list all the things the animals need. For example, overnight stay is not needed for the chickens and will upset the cats.
If that is what I have to have to get the other things, then OK, but I don’t need to start there.
Basic food and water I think I have sorted with some tweaks to my current arrangements.
What I think is missing is:
- health checks for chickens
- yard time for chickens with someone to oversee
- play with those cats that are interested in company
- ability to take someone to the vet if necessary
The lady who comes normally has a teenage daughter who seems to be an animal lover. I wonder if she would be willing to sit outside with the chickens for a few hours a couple of days a week for example.

You're not derailing at all, I raised the subject and I think it's a concern to a majority of chicken keepers!
I guess the most difficult part is the one that requires some knowledge of chickens : being able to see if there is a problem and eventually take a chicken to the vet if really needed. Just catching and carrying a chicken isn't something anyone who has never done it before can do, unless they are very good with animals.
One of our friend who did the best by our chickens was actually someone who had never been around them before but was really interested and felt a huge responsibility. But we were able to spend a few hours with him before, showing him all the things that could be useful.
**************
It was a bit warmer today and a good day for all, except Blanche who seemed to be at the end of her life. Chipie was very active and kept picking fights. I wonder why she is being so aggressive, and if it's related to health issues. I've noticed before that hens can turn aggressive when they molt or when they are beginning to be unwell maybe because they feel vulnerable and attack is the best defense.
Merle seemed better than yesterday. Théo also has his hormones beginning to act up and he is now trying to mate the hens when Gaston isn't looking, which obviously doesn't help their relationship. We are going to make the second small entry to the run tomorrow now the chickens have all gotten used to the new different one (the second small size entry will be where the old one used to be) which should help Théo get in or out more easily.

I was very ashamed to realise I've missed an important chicken anniversary this month. On the 7th of January, it was exactly four years ago that my six ex-batts arrived in a cardboard box !
So today I made everyone rice with scrambled eggs, peas, tofu and peanuts. I'm not sure they realised why, but they liked it.

Can you spot Hibou ? She got that name because of that look.

 

[ManueB]

Blanche has been very poorly again these last two days. She has survived several times before in such a state, but I know each time there is more chance that she doesn't.
If her time has finally come after so many times we thought we would bury her and didn't, I'm ready to accept it, but it's hard to see her struggling.
I took a few pictures of the chickens these two days, but my heart isn't in it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Blanche has been very poorly again these last two days. She has survived several times before in such a state, but I know each time there is more chance that she doesn't.
If her time has finally come after so many times we thought we would bury her and didn't, I'm ready to accept it, but it's hard to see her struggling.
I took a few pictures of the chickens these two days, but my heart isn't in it.
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[Perris]

with you in spirit @ManueB

who's laying that lovely plum-coloured egg?

 

[Molpet]

Blanche has been very poorly again these last two days. She has survived several times before in such a state, but I know each time there is more chance that she doesn't.
If her time has finally come after so many times we thought we would bury her and didn't, I'm ready to accept it, but it's hard to see her struggling.
I took a few pictures of the chickens these two days, but my heart isn't in it.
View attachment 3732816
View attachment 3732815View attachment 3732813View attachment 3732812View attachment 3732811View attachment 3732810View attachment 3732809View attachment 3732808View attachment 3732807View attachment 3732806View attachment 3732805
View attachment 3732804View attachment 3732803View attachment 3732802

 

[BDutch]

Sorry you hear your chickens are not as healthy as you wish for. I think they all look just fine on the photos except for Merle. I obviously cant see how they behave.

Wish you could have a little more confidence in the chickens and stop worrying so much.

Ha

ha. Look who is coming for diner.