Would you leave chickens alone for 3 days?

[IdyllwildAcres]

I could leave 3 days with no neighbor checking in. I could leave for 2 weeks but someone would have to get eggs. I have 3 waterers, about 18 gallons total and 2 feeders. I also have cameras in the coop and can check in myself. If I thought I would be slave to my chickens and never be able to leave I would not have ever started this.

Gary

Edited to add, my coop is pred proof, except maybe for bears, which are rare here. If I ever have bear trouble I will make it bomb proof. Coop linked to left.

 

[ehoneybee]

From my own experience I've found a rat tunnel that was 10" long under the apron, so 6" to me is not enough. That said, I don't know how much time you have before you're away, so if you really don't have time to make further changes you'll have to hope for the best for the time being and consider making changes later on.

. We can instead put the hardware cloth underneath the entire coop but we felt badly doing that because they won't be able to peck at the ground. However, if they're not going in the roost at night, either, I think it's a good idea.

 

[rosemarythyme]

. We can instead put the hardware cloth underneath the entire coop but we felt badly doing that because they won't be able to peck at the ground. However, if they're not going in the roost at night, either, I think it's a good idea.

In my opinion it'd probably be easier and likely cheaper to just add on to the apron. It's more of an issue to me that they don't want to roost in the coop.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have a 3 gallon waterer and I fill it twice a week. Are you sure, 5 quarts will be enough? I have 4 chickens and it has been quite cold still.

 

[ehoneybee]

I have a 3 gallon waterer and I fill it twice a week. Are you sure, 5 quarts will be enough? I have 4 chickens and it has been quite cold still.

She may have to fill once or twice. She will check daily to collect eggs.

 

[ehoneybee]

In my opinion it'd probably be easier and likely cheaper to just add on to the apron. It's more of an issue to me that they don't want to roost in the coop.

This is a new development just tonight so I don't know what to make of it. I just know neighbor cannot put them in so I have to plan accordingly. I will keep putting them in if it's an issue but the warmer weather is coming and is it bad for them to toost in run?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

She may have to fill once or twice. She will check daily to collect eggs.

If you have time, fill up the 5 quarts to see how long it will last. At least then you will know for sure how long they can go with the current setup.

 

[ehoneybee]

If you have time, fill up the 5 quarts to see how long it will last. At least then you will know for sure how long they can go with the current setup.

I experimented today and it seemed good all day.

 

[Hyroler]

Just leave keys to house with chickens.Let them know if they have any problems or get hungry to go in house there is plenty of food in frigerator.I recommend hiding the liquor and unplugging house phone before you go.Last thing you want is chickens calling up a bunch of friends for party getting drunk and thrashing house.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is a new development just tonight so I don't know what to make of it. I just know neighbor cannot put them in so I have to plan accordingly. I will keep putting them in if it's an issue but the warmer weather is coming and is it bad for them to toost in run?

Oh ok. Main concern with roosting in run is that they'd be more vulnerable to predators (which is why you're aproning I'm sure). If your run is secure enough it's probably ok, but generally it's the coop that's set up to be as secure as possible.