Vacation and ducks; what do you do?

[Breemae123]

I will only be leaving for 3 days/2 nights. This is the first time I’ve left them since we got them.

A few things I am worried about:
1. I created my own food containers. I cut a hole in a bucket and put plastic around to prevent injury. I have to refill it daily.

2. Water. It’s hot and we have ducklings (youngest are 4 weeks). I have to fill their water every few hours.

I don’t really have anyone who’d be willing to check on them either. I can maybe pay someone if it comes down to that.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Multiple feed and water areas?
Can you post pics of what you are using?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I thought about this a few weeks ago and did a search here, this thread had some good ideas.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/vacation-setup-for-27-animals.1070040/

 

[HuskerHens18]

Murphy's law is at its strongest when you leave for vacation. I really would suggest finding someone to look after them. That is your absolute safest option.

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree. A photo, especially of your water, would be helpful. You should not have to re-fill water every few hours. I fill all my water once a day. Sometimes they get a refresher in the afternoon once they muck it up, but they don't *need* the afternoon refresher to survive. You should be able to have a pet sitter stop by once in the morning for food and water and let everyone out, and once in the evening to check on things and lock them up for the night. Some people get away with less frequently.

 

[Mrichard0930]

We went away one time for two weeks another for a week and wknd trips here and there. We always always got a baby sitter. We are in rural area so I don’t know where you live. (If near central pa lol I’d gladly help out). I stressed so much making sure our babysitter most importantly put them back in their locked box at night. They’d let them out in morning refresh water and they were fine in pen. Within a couple of hours on our first two week trip our baby sitter said they drove in a saw a bear - so that always scares me that these animals know when is the time to come out. My pair passed away couple months ago and I’m hatching now - we just moved so I told my boyfriend we should try to build something that they could be left in a night or two if we needed to go away again because we are now further from our babysitter. Good luck hopefully you find someone

 

[happy duck]

I would get a sitter. I have friends who have chickens and ducks and they take care of my ducks. If you have close friends who would be willing and you trust them....then I would go with that. If they are good friends you might not have to pay them too! Hope you find someone!!

 

[Dandy's mom]

I will only be leaving for 3 days/2 nights. This is the first time I’ve left them since we got them.

A few things I am worried about:
1. I created my own food containers. I cut a hole in a bucket and put plastic around to prevent injury. I have to refill it daily.

2. Water. It’s hot and we have ducklings (youngest are 4 weeks). I have to fill their water every few hours.

I don’t really have anyone who’d be willing to check on them either. I can maybe pay someone if it comes down to that.

did you leave for vacay yet and what area are you in? I'll take care of your lovies if it's still a need and you are close

 

[Jpat]

Iam putting a tarp down in my garage with a small wire fence. a table for a "roof" and buckets of water and food. And the exhaust fan on. just for 2 nights

 

[Dandy's mom]

just make sure the water buckets aren't so deep they get in and can't get out. Ducklings without regular feathers can actually drown. Not sure where you are, but here in Texas, our garage gets over 110 degrees during the day with the window open.