4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[daisymay]

Hi

 

I am going away for a few days and just wondered what everyone's opinion is on this. I have got an convertor being fitted tomorrow but unfortunately it will not be possible for my girls to free range while i am away. I am going to thoroughly clean everything tomorrow before leaving but they won't be cleaned out til next sat when I get home. Do you think that will be ok?

 

 

My neighbour is going to open and lock them up everyday, as well as sorting out the food and water. I feel a bit mean asking her to do the poo tray as I don't know the very well but do you think this is necessary?

 

Thanks - should be pleased about going away but feel like I'm deserting them!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I had the same worries last October when I left mine for 8 days! You don't need to worry about them at all - they'll be fine. And it'll also be fine leaving the poo tray for a week (I often do that even when I am here ). Do you give them bokashi bran? That firms up the poos and reduces the smell.

 

Enjoy your holiday - going somewhere nice? (Well, obviously you are, silly phrase really ).

[daisymay]

I had some bran delivered today but am not sure what or how to feed it to them. I give approx half teaspoon garlic powder in their food but again not sure if that is too much or too little or right! Have also got poultry spice that I have been told to give every 10 days.

 

Thanks for the reassurance

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I keep my girls' pellets in a big plastic box in the kitchen and when I fill it up I just pour a good load of bran in. Not very scientific . (I also chuck garlic powder and poultry spice in the box too!)

[Olly]

They'll be fine for a week, I'm afraid my poo tray often doesn't get emptied any sooner than that anyway! (Glad I'm not the only one, ANH!)

 

As long as it's all clean before you go, and they are getting food and water every day, they will be ok. Enjoy your holiday and don't worry about them!

[Jules.]

It's a once a week job for me too!

[Sarah B]

I'm worried about this too as I do my poo tray every 2 or 3 days. We are going away for a week in July and I haven't even sorted out my chicken sitters yet but I'm hoping my Mother and Father In-Law will come over and do the food and water.

 

I think the things that are worrying me the most is the fact the run wont be moved so will be really pooey and even worse the girls won't get to free range for a whole week? Surely this is cruel as they are used to having at least an hour every day??

[Egluntyne]

It won't harm to leave the poo tray for a week.

 

I have done it a couple of times, with no devastating consequences.

 

Now that you have added to the run, they will manage perfectly whilst you are away.

 

Perhaps your lovely neighbour could give them some cabbage or brocolli to peck at as a distraction.