thegamwellsmythes Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Hi, I think I probably know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway. My wife and I don't have any chickens yet and are just starting to consider it. I assume that the birds must be let out everyday at least into thier run and have food and water checked / topped up. I only ask as we like to go away at weekends quite a bit. We have lots of friends who would no doubt assist in looking after them occassionally in exchange for eggs but I thought I'd get a definitive answer. You can't leave them a day without attention can you? We have foxes in the area as well which is another concern, but that can be managed I guess. Thanks for any replies. Paul and Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Provided that their run is secure i.e. an Omlet run, then you can go away for a couple of nights and leave the housing door open. So long as you provide extra food and water, they will be fine. It would be better if you could find a willing neighbour (they usually are in exchange for eggs) to collect eggs and keep an eye on them. The don't need to free range provided they have enough room in the run and extra greens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 They will be fine for 48 hours or so without attention, so long as the run is totally secure, they have plenty of food and water and some shade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 We often go away for weekends, and leave the chiooks with their Coop door open into their secure run. Like others I guess, we wouldn't have got chickens if this hadn't been the case - as we do enjoy weekends away to visit friends, family, or explore a bit of the country. The only time I was a bit concerned was when it was below freeezing at night, and their water was freezing over - but a neighbour very kindly (in exchange for eggs!!) checked them for me so all was OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I will happily go away overnight and leave them for up to 48 hrs, (mine are in a secure walk in run with plenty of space and feeders/drinkers), but if I'm away longer than one night my neighbours will look in on them to collect eggs and check feeders/drinkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 We go away for a night or two and leave our 3 hens in a secure run but I always put out extra food and water containers to give me peace of mind. Also useful are these battery operated pet feeders with 4 compartments. I set mine for the evening to give the chooks their usual grain. Gill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegamwellsmythes Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thanks for the replies. This was my big concern as we are already slaves to our allotment. We'll maybe say hello to Boiled and Scrambled soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Overnight is no problem. I have an eglu and extended run which is fine for them. I have 2 grubs and 2 glugs (you get 1 of each with an eglu purchase) which means they are fine if I go away friday night and come back Sat evening. However I do usually ask my chicken sitter to pop in and check all is Ok and collect any eggs. But apart from that she doesn't have to do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 We'll maybe say hello to Boiled and Scrambled soon. Now they would make great chicken names!! And good luck with the decision of whether to get them or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegamwellsmythes Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Thanks again for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 we go away for weekends and we have loads of people offering to check on the girls (some dont even ask for eggs in payment ) i agree with what everyone has said, as long as they have ample food and water (and a secure run), then they will be fine cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
