Vacation?

[PtldChick]

It seems a fun idea to have a house-swap for vacation between chicken owners. I would love to do it, only how do we figure out that the other chicken owners are not psycho.
I mean this respectfully, but it would be a great idea. I actually typed in "vacation" to see if this occurred already. We live in Seaside, CA, near Pebble Beach, Carmel, Monterey - on the Central Coast of California. We would exchange houses for 4 nights within 7 hours of hear or longer for a 2 week vacation. We have one greyhound, one cat, and 4 chickens to care for and would want to trade with similar.

Definitely you don't want a psycho...my friend's 18 yo live at home son who was watching my chickens stayed here one night, invited people over and let them steal >$5K of my stuff. Next time I'll hire a professional pet sitter.

I had to grin at your post because I have 4 whippets and a cat, but a lot more chickens. I normally take my dogs with me on my 'vacations' which are really for their activities - racing and coursing.

 

[Hunter0704]

We are fortunate in our area to have a "pet sitter", whom I found online while searching for pet sitters. Search online for MasterCare Pet Sitters, put in your zip code and see if this company has anyone around you to care for your pets. If not, there are probably other companies in your area. Originally we had her come to take care of our dogs, but now we also have chickens and ducks and she willingly takes care of them too. I have her come four times a day, which gives the dogs plenty of potty times. She feeds the dogs, gives them fresh water, and also she gives fresh water to the ducks and chickens. We have a large hanging feeder in the run that keeps them fully supplied for at least a week, so she doesn't have to mess with that. We don't have any eggs yet, but when we do, she will collect them and bring them in the house and put in the refrigerator. We absolutely love this service....dependable, reliable, worry free, and my dogs totally love her.

By the way, my pet sitter is insured and bonded.

 

[bobbi-j]

My folks live 2 miles from here. When they're gone, we take care of their dog, cats, chickens, geese, horses, and steer. When we're gone, they take care of our animals. This will present a problem next summer when we're all going to be gone for a family wedding, but then we have neighbors to fall back on. My neighbor up the road breeds and raises Quarter Horses. When they're gone, I do their chores (she had 25 horses last time I did chores for her) They will take care of our animals when my folks can't. It's nice when you have neighbors you can swap chores with.

 

[chickiewhite]

We should start lists on this site of "chicken sitting for vacations" so we find chicken experts to hire. Family members are OK but won't chase down stray chicks.

 

[Maggie C]

We should start lists on this site of "chicken sitting for vacations" so we find chicken experts to hire. Family members are OK but won't chase down stray chicks.

Good idea. So far, I have always left my DH home but I know that we will want to go somewhere together soon so should start lining up someone. We don't have any family in the immediate area.

 

[bobbi-j]

Family members are OK but won't chase down stray chicks.

Mine would. Just like I'd chase down theirs.

 

[Arielle]

Well, this probally won't help... but I leave my husband at home!

DH and I take separate vacations because someone needs to be at the farm. WHEn he takes the kids camping, I feel like I'm on vaca , too.

Perhaps you can hire the neighbor to check on the girls and collect the eggs once a day.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

You might be able to find a dependable farmsitter from your local 4-H group as well.

 

[duckinnut]

+ VACATION=

 

[mlm Mike]

My wife just leaves me behind to take care of the dogs, chickens, and goats. In fact she's in Mexico until 2/7 right now. When we both go, one of the endless supply of Amish children take care of the goats and chickens, the dogs get boarded.