Lucy H Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi, I am new to this forum and really keen to get 2 chickens. My boyfriend is also happy for me to get chickens on the condition that I can sort out what to do with them while we are on holiday as I do not have any relatives nearby to look after them! I live in Eltham, south east London, I have looked on your chicken sitters page and the nearest person is in Dartford, username - Afamily. Not sure if you or anybody else are able to help? We usually go away 2/3 times a year and will be away at Christmas too as my parents are in Yorkshire! I would be happy to bring the eglu and chickens to you. If anyone is willing to help I would be happy to return the favour if you can bring round your eglu. Hope someone can help then I can finally get some chickens!!! Thanks, Lucy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Lucy I used to live in Eltham years ago - small world! I'm sure there must be some chicken-owners in the area, as it's fairly suburban, even if there's no-one on this particular forum who lives near you. Have you tried the Practical Poultry forum? Maybe there's somewhere in the area you could advertise for a reliable person who could check on your chickens in return for some free-range eggs, e.g. Avery Hill College? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 AFamily is emigrating soon. I'm sure you will find someone though. Have you got a sensible teenager or student with whom you could come to a financial arrangement nearby? It would be such a shame if this is the only thing standing in the way of your having chickens. You can leave them for a weekend in the Eglu and run, with plenty of food and water. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Oh no, shame about Afamily - but maybe they might be interested in selling their eglu! Hope someone else can help though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I think it has already gone. I daresay she will be on the forum later and will let you know. Have a look at our** Eglus on Ebay** section. We try to keep it up to date. You might find something there to suit. Or why not go for a new one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Do you get on with the neighbours? or have any good friends close by? I have a friend about 10 mins away who looks after the girls when we are away for the eggs and a bottle of malibu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 They don't need a lot of looking after ... if you have a secure run like the Eglu, they can be left for a weekend without anyone coming in, as long as they have plenty of food and water. If it's a bit longer, then you would need someone to top up food and water and collect the eggs, but it's not difficult. Ideally you'd have someone every day, but you could manage with a visit just every other day. Contact your local vet to see if they have any 'pet sitter' details. I used one last year to feed the cat, and she was absolutely thrilled to be ask to do the chickens as well, especially when I said she could keep the eggs! Because it's such an easy job - and they don't need to come into the house, if your garden can be accessed directly - it could be done by a young teenager, if they are responsible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Thanks for all your suggestions, we do have friends living in London but not really close by enough just to pop in and look after them - the Blackwall Tunnel is not very friendly on time! The problem with asking a student is that they all go home for Christmas and this is the time that i would need someone to look after them too. I may check out the local vet and see if I have any luck, but still hoping for someone close by to magically appear on the forum!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Have *googled* and come up with **this**. Maybe they could help you out. It says Small animals/birds/reptiles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 That's the sort of arrangement I used, but £12.50 a day is a bit ! It might be worth pursuing the alternative option - of taking your chickens to someone else's house. They travel quite easily, and don't mind a short journey. Would your friends who are the other side of the Blackwall Tunnel (and I'm wincing in sympathy when you mention it!) be able to have them in their garden for a week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 That is the problem too that most of my friends live in flats so unless they have a gigantic balcony (which to my knowledge they don't!) then I could not even deliver them. Silly London living - not so great for chickens in zone 1! I will keep thinking though - there is a solution I just have not found it yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 That's the sort of arrangement I used, but £12.50 a day is a bit ! It is....but they wouldn't need to come in more than say three times a week, tops. I'm in the wrong business. I think I'll start a little Chicken Sitting business in Sheffield! Might be a laff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 We have no trouble with chicken sitters. You will find that people actually get very excited if you ask them to do it. There's no real work involved and they get the excitement of collecting yummy fresh eggs in the morning. So many people have never done that in their lives. I'm miles away so can't help I'm afraid Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yes, I am hoping that my neighbour will feel that way too but for now I need to find an alternative still! !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I'm a bit further away, in East london, but I'm always happy to have a few extra chooks. We had three stay for a month at christmas - straight in the run with the rest, no bother. And they stopped feather pecking while they were with me. I have cockerels. So anyway, I'm not far from the north side of the blackwall tunnel, and I'd be happy to have them if you could drop them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 My neighbours have to have a rota to look after my chooks.... they all volunteer! Masala Hen has found that if Mrs Nextdoor is in her kitchen a tap on Mrs Nextdoor's patio door brings a treat or two..... Masala Hen hasn't worked out that in order to fly she need to flap her wings and jump at the same time so she only really goes across when I am doing my weekly clean. Luckily Mrs Nextdoor loves the hens and I have found her in my garden with her hands behind her back and a guilty look on her face a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I used to live in SE London too! I know that I'm miles away, but I'd happily look after them for you if you can bring them up to Banbury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Thanks for all your kind messages - lots of offers of help if only I lived closer to some of you! But Aunty e thank you so much for your kind offer, it sounds like a very good option as we are only 5 mins away from the Blackwall Tunnel - where are you in the East End? I would be happy to bring them round and if I don't need to bring the eglu then that makes it even easier! Now I may finally be able to join you all in having my very own chickens! Thanks, L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I'm in Shoreditch, just outside the cityy, so from the tunnel, over tower bridge, through aldgate, up commercial road, up shoreditch high st, up kingsland road, and you're there. We're right by the Geffrye museum if you want to take a peek. Just let me know if you want me to have them, I'm on here every week day, and occasionally at weekends... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy H Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Thanks, that is quite a trek so will have to speak to the other half tonight!!! Fingers crossed ha ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
