CatherineH178 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hello, we are new to keeping chickens having just had four hybrids for a couple of days and have a query about what to do when we go on holiday? We read in one of our books that if we fill up the grub and glug trays that should last the chickens three days and then we need to get someone to fill them up again which will take us to day six (we are only away for six days). So do we leave the door to the chicken house open for the whole time we are away?? Or do we really need to get someone to come and see to the chickens every day?? What does everyone else do? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 i leave my door open all the time anyway- so just get someone to pop in every couple of days. last time though my mum did say that the water was empty on one occassion after 2 days so i now have another glug to leave just in case. i always let the neighbour know im away and she keeps her eye on them out her top window. they will be fine, i would just buy an extra water container just to be safe x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Egg Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Get a feeder and a water container to be sure, food hoppers can last a week. If they are not yet laying the won't eat as much. Door open will be fine but a friendly eye every day or so will give you peace of mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 If they are laying you need to get the eggs collected every day, I'd get a trusted neighbour to pop in & check everything is ticketyboo for you. I leave my girls door open in the summer but as the weather gets colder the doors will be closed at bedtime again. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 You dont say what type of house and run you have but if you leave the house door open you do need to be satisfied that your run is fox proof Once they are laying if you go on hols you will need someone to collect the eggs regularly too Alternatively send them on a hen holiday, a few forum members let chickens come to them or there is a hen sitters list on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 You dont say what type of house and run you have but if you leave the house door open you do need to be satisfied that your run is fox proof Once they are laying if you go on hols you will need someone to collect the eggs regularly too Alternatively send them on a hen holiday, a few forum members let chickens come to them or there is a hen sitters list on the forum Was going to say same thing. I have an eglu + run and I happily leave my lot for a week's holiday with the eglu door open (but they are contained within Omlet fox resistant run). For my 4 chickens I have purchased a spare set of both glug and grubs (water & feed holders) so that I have 2 of each. Whilst not essential they are very handy. A friend or neighbour need only come in once a day to check water is full, feed full and collect eggs. Having the extra water and feed holders just makes their life easier so they don't have to open the run more often and therefore need to round the chooks up again if they escape. Have a hosepipe near the run bars so they can poke it through and top up water is a good idea for novice chicken sitters (again to reduce the need to open the run). I fill both grub feeders up to the max and they last about 4 days (for my 4 hens). But I would never rely on that and always have a chicken sitter pop in daily, even if it is just to look through the run and see they have plenty of food/water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Have you looked at the **Chicken Sitters*** thread? There might be someone near you who can help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Not sure on your location but I can thoroughly recommennd RubyMurray in Nottingham for chicken sitting - she doesn't even complain when your chooks ruin her lawn!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmamakeup Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Helllooooo Catherine! Welcome to the Omlet forum The offer is there if you'd like me to watch your chooks whilst you are away. I leave the Eglu door open whilst we are away, Simon's dad comes round every day to collect the eggs and he also empties the tray when needed but the grub and water usually last a couple of days. Love your chooks by the way! Speak soon Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'm unusual in that I've got a cockerel so he has to be shut up each night or he wakes too early. So I always have locked the door and so had to ask a neighbour to lock up and unlock. As you say the grub and glug can be filled in advance and the water just checked so it's not a big job. I'm lucky in that I've a number of people I can ask I suppose - and they like collecting the eggs so it hasn't been a problem. You may find that people really like looking after them - at least one neighbour has gone on to get her own hens after looking after mine. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
