want chicks can you still have a life?

[crazyhen]

I have built a nice chicken coup and can,t wait to get my hens. I have one problem though. When you go on vacation what do you do about the hens?:| crazy hen

 

[fowltemptress]

Responsible friends or relatives come over once a day . . . but even then I worry like crazy. I have found no real solution to the paranoia that they won't take care of them correctly, but it's just something I've learned to accept

 

[barney]

If your hens are not laying yet and it's just a weekend I'd triple up on feed and water, and just have someone come in and peek at them to see if they are OK. ( providing they are in a safe spot)

When we go way . I have our son, go over everyday, get the eggs, and do what needs to be done.

Quote:

 

[fowltemptress]

I left once for just an overnight trip, so I didn't line up anyone to look in on them. Came home and for the first time ever, they'd managed to dump out their waterer.
Now I schedule someone no matter how long I'll be gone.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

My father lives with us so he watches them

Or my next choice would be a responsible friend or relative. It doesn't take long for chickens to get sick if not properly taken care of so you want to be sure that someone WILL take good care of them.

 

[crazyhen]

Thanks so much for the answers. I am really worried. I would be gone for a week and it would be to see family. At Christmas. Has anyone ever had experience with hired help while you were gone.?
I don/t have family close by. My friends are either seasonally, or older adults. Help

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

What about paying a neighbor? Sometimes there is a responsible young adult looking for ways to make money. Check with their parents and maybe have that parent go check in to be sure they are ok too. I would try putting an add in our paper early, long before you leave to start looking. It's an easy job..someone will jump all over it.

 

[lurky]

Quote:
Well..... You could always wait til spring

 

[ChooksChick]

Our neighbor travels a couple days nearly every week for work and has a pet sitter come in and care for the 6 (yes 6!) cats. I called over to her on the front porch the other day (we're in the middle of town and it's only about 25 feet) and asked the lady if she's interested in taking care of birds...then continued the conversation to clarify. She's interested, so we're going to call her to care for our menagerie next time we go anywhere.


We've paid neighborhood teens in the past, but I'd like someone who's willing and able to problem solve should something come up- it always does!

 

[Shared Acres]

Maybe post on Craigslist for someone in the neighborhood?

Maybe someone else has chickens do and you could make a promise to swap watching each other's chickens.

Or maybe some kid wouldn't mind a chicken as payment for watching them.

I tell ya, if I was a kid living next door to you, I'd be super excited about getitng a baby chick as payment. Even if it meant me naming it and playing with it and leaving it in your yard cause mom said I couldn't take it home! LOL, I ramble, but seriously.