What do you do when you go out of town?

[LKimball]

Just wondering what others do when they travel for more than a day or so. I went to my parents house for a day and a half, thought I had left them plenty of food, but when I got back they were clearly mad at me and out of food. What about longer than that - do friends help out? Are there services for chicken sitting? I'm in a major metro area.

 

[centrarchid]

I have friends or neighbors help out. They are shown what to do a couple days before and I have the helper assist getting feed and water containers filled. Ideally the birds are checked early in morning and around time birds go to roost. Better yet is when helper house sits.

 

[nick98370]

I have a waterer and feeder large enough to last several days for my 9 birds. So that's not a problem. Also, my run is secure enough that I can leave the door to the coop open (although I normally shut it every night when I am home). I have always been more concerned with the accumulation of eggs over a few days away. I just talk my neighbor into collecting them each day by letting him keep the eggs for himself. That way, I have someone laying eyes on my girls every day and he gets fresh eggs!

 

[ValerieJ]

I pay a neighbor to take care of my chickens , dog and cats. I feel if I pay her, then I can ask her to do all the odd things I do around here, like also feed the squirrels and wild birds.

BTW, feeding wild birds a few hundred feet from your run lessens the number of birds that actually go after the chicken food.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

my automatic feeder holds 10-14days of feed, and the automatic 5gal waterer holds 4-7days of water. I have friends/family come check on birds occasionally when I'm gone.

 

[Mrs. K]

I do not use and automatic feeder. But I have one. If I am going to be gone for a few days, I set it up. Then go back to the daily feeding when I get back.

Water in the winter can get more tricky. If I am gone longer than a day/night I have someone else come down and check on it.

Mrs K

 

[getaclue]

Set it up, and begin using it a few days before you leave town. That way the chickens will be fine with it, and you know it's working ok. Fill it back up before you go.

 

[rosemarythyme]

In advance, know the capacity of your feeder(s) and waterer(s) - and provide more than needed. Having backups of things is also a good idea if you have space for it, just in case anything fails. If I'm going to be gone 3 days I'll leave food for 4 or 5 days, same with water.

I've asked my next door neighbor to chicken sit before. I made it as simple as possible. All she had to do was open the coop door in morning, collect eggs and close up coop door in the evening. I now have an auto door so don't need anything other than someone collecting eggs. Many people won't say no to doing that little for a free dozen eggs.

 

[Folly's place]

We also have horses and cattle, and dogs and cats, and have friends who help when we are gone, as we help them when they are out of town. Also neighbors who check on things, and collect eggs. Emergency phone numbers, veterinary contacts (different for different critters!) and of course extra feeders, waterers, everything we can think of.
Otherwise, it would be that live-in paid pet sitter! Your veterinary clinic may have contacts for pet sitters, check there.
Mary

 

[David61]

I'm set up for 3 to 5 days of food and water. I can make another water bucket and feeder to double that. But nest box would be over flowing by day 6. I know i can get my egg people too help me out.