Vacation feeding for large flocks

[gardenofeeding]

We are planning a 7 day vacation for next year. We have 100 chickens divided up into 8 coops. What is the best way to provide feed for 7 -10 days. (Traveling included) We are considering creating

larger fenced in free ranging runs with automatic doors, a watering system, and some kind of feeders. We will have a person checking on them and collecting eggs for us.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How often do you need to refill your feeders and waterers right now? Before I go on trips I like to calculate how many days my feeder and waterer, fully filled, will last for, so I can make sure there's enough of both + some extra, for the period I'll be gone.

Alternatively is the chicken sitter willing to refill food and water?

 

[nuthatched]

Can you make big j style pvc feeders to hold more feed?

 

[gardenofeeding]

I told our sitter she wouldn't have to feed them for us, but just collect eggs. Its not until July. I'm giving myself time to work this out.

 

[gardenofeeding]

Can you make big j style pvc feeders to hold more feed?

I think we could try that.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I use rent-a-coop 5-gallon feeders. I bet if you had enough of them they’d last a week just fine.

 

[Alaskan]

I have had excellent success with my homemade PVC ports in a trashcan. It holds over 100 pounds of feed.

But the standard metal feeder works well too, and comes in a bunch of different sizes.

Pick AT LEAST 2 feeders, and maybe a row of waterers.

Redundancy is your friend.