What to do when you go away?

[blackdog043]

If you feel your run is secure enough to leave the the door open, then it should not be a problem. Will your feed and water last for 5 days?
I leave mine for a week at a time and don't need anyone to look after them. the run door is open for them. I have a 5 gal no waste feeder and a 5 gal horizontal nipple waterer. The water will last 10 - 12 days and the feed will last 2 weeks. I did put a second waterer in, when I was away in the summer. That was just in case a nipple malfunctioned, but I haven't had any problems with them.

 

[Patinas]

I have left mine for up to five days. I provide two feeders and two waterers. One feeder holds 20+ lbs of feed and other one about 11 lbs. One waterer holds 7 gallons and the other holds 2.5 gallons. I have 19 birds and they drink about a gallon a day. There is always plenty of water and feed left when I return.

My coop and the attached run are very predator proof but for added measure, I use an automated door between the coop and the run. I can leave and know that if anything was able to get in the run during the evening, the coop is further secured by the automatic door.

The only two issues are the eggs start to pile up and the water definitely needs changing and the waterers need a good scrubbing, but otherwise, they do just fine for that amount of time.

 

[twilightgecko]

i understand your concerns.. i am going away next week for 4 days.. my coop is too small to leave them in their all day for even one day.. we have a friend that goes on chicken duty.. really just letting them out and in.. i don't much care about a few eggs piling up.. and there is always water outside and in the coop.. if they need a scoop of food tossed out, the friend can do that too.. so yeah, a chicken sitter..

 

[GRB73]

Even though I think my coop is predator proof, I don't feel good about leaving the coop door open all night. It just takes one crafty raccoon or weasel...I have a neighbor open and close the door and give clean water and food each day.

 

[Sassysouth]

My run is fully enclosed with 1/2” hardware cloth and attached to the coop. The only time I close my coop door is when it gets cold. During the summer I leave my girls every weekend, usually 3 days. I have a 5 gallon feeder and 3-4 gallon waterer. If I am going to be gone longer, I have friends who will swing by and check on them (and even scoop my poop board).

 

[Junochick]

I am blessed with a wonderful friend/neighbor takes care of goat,chickens,cat,dog for me if I need to go away. Plus she will get my mail.

 

[MBH]

Thanks everyone for the responses!! We decided since its winter it's best a friend come and chickensitt. We might risk one or two days but this will end up being 5 and worried we could get a cold snap and the water freeze.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

Ask a friend or neighbor kid to do it. Any trustworthy teenagers floating around nearby? I was the go to for our entire neighborhood from the time I was 8 on, I pet sat everything from horses to cats to birds.

If you did leave them that long and a waterer leaked down to nothing or a predator broke in or any number of things, something really bad could happen and no one would know until you came back and it might be to a tragedy. It's better to just have someone come and check on things, then you can feel better while you are gone, too.

 

[annaBsChick]

Hire someone responsible to take care of your birds