What not to do when you go on vacation....

[Castaway]

This a very timely topic for me. My main worry is my pullets (10 weeks) are so used to being let out to free range that they may freak out and start picking on each other when they are penned in the run for a week. In addition, I expect temperatures to be consistently in the 90s and 100s in July so keeping cool water available will be a challenge. I hesitate to ask my neighbor to change a 3 gallon waterer everyday since that defeats the purpose of having a waterer of that size.

 

[BioBob]

Has the "Chicken Babysitter" concept gone any further?

Is there a list of contacts somewhere that I cannot find?

I have to be out of town once a month, and would like to find someone in the area (Raleigh, NC) to swap chores with.

Since this is the vacation season, if there are any others in the area who would like their chickens well cared for, give me a holler, and we'll work something out!

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Scratch doesn't have enough protein in it, so you should supplement with another protein source. Some people use cat food.

You'll also need to add a calcium source, like oystershell.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Didn't I read somewhere that cat food was bad for chickens?

We have a friend that also has chickens, I pay him, he comes and takes care of my chickens at vacation time. But...I do fear sometimes, he's also the one who does my Kill and Klean duties when it's time for a rooster to go to the freezer. I am always a little afraid that he might decide to cull my favorite rooster while I'm away.

I think it is easier to find a trustworthy sitter for a human baby than for my chicks.

I agree wholehardily with the woman that said her mountain IS her vacation. My little 20 acre hillside is my favorite spot in the world...why would I need to go somewhere else to relax?