millymollymandy Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Feel really bad had to go away on boxing day to look after sick inlaws suddenly and asked our neighbour to look after the animals, just got back and the bucket of food for the chickens I left out is still full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What have they eaten since boxing day She has been in looking after the cats and lizard and collecting eggs but not sure she has fed the chickens anything. She is really nice and has fed the chickens before but no food has gone from the bucket i can only hope she has been feeding them something. One got up and had some food when i got back even though it is 8pm can't really tell if they are ok as it is dark and don't want to shine the torch on them. I can't believe they wouldn't have gone mental when she went to get the eggs if they were hungry The only slight thing that is good is that I got an extra grub for christmas and so I left them on boxing day evening with two full grubs for four chickens but even so how long would that last??? Sorry to waffle lots of stress at the mo and I now just feel really bad for neglecting my chooks. I will be out nice and early tomorrow with porridge and a groveling apology to the chooks I just hope they are ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Have you checked them over since you came back - to see how they look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I wouldn't worry, I'm sure they'll be absolutely fine . Two full grubs would last 4 girls a while, I'd have thought. Each day I put 2 out half full for my 5 girls and they never finish them. They will have been scratching about in the soil for titbits too remember . Hope your inlaws are on the mend . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Hey, you haven't done anything wrong, I'm sure they're fine, although I can understand your concern when you saw the bucket! 2 full grubs may well have been enough food without replenishing. It seems ages to you, but 3 or 4 days isn't long if you left them with 2 grubs anyway. I'm certain your hens will be relieved to see you tomorrow, but they'll be fine, try not to think about it tonight & get some sleep, then you can be out there at dawn. Sorry you've had such a scare, with family worries too, do let us know how they are tomorrow. They'll be jumping up & down to see you, I'm sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Perhaps your neighbour saw the food in the grubs and thought there was enough so didn't top up. Glad the experts know how much food goes in the grubs and how long it takes to be munched! I'd have been in the same worried position as Millymollymandy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Check the grubs in the morning, if there is food in there they will have been ok, if they are completely empty its worth asking if your neighbour topped them up but at the end of the day the chooks have come through ok and thats the main thing so don't feel bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Bet they still have food left. They'll have been fine. Bet she has given them some kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 From the amount my lot eat, I'd have thought two full Grubs for four chickens would be enough. They don't eat a huge amount even though they are all laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millymollymandy Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Good news they appear to have survived Gave them some porridge this morning and they look ok it just worried me a bit. Think they will be a bit spoilt for a bit and i will have to be clearer with telling the neighbour when to feed them. Think we got away with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I write a list for my mum. Still doesn't stop her from adding other bits of treats though! But if you write notes on the computer, you can update if necessary and print it off and give it to your neighbour. If you do it well in advance it will give you time to adjust it in case you miss bits out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 My 4 chooks will last for days with 2 full to the brim grubs. And in Winter, they don't seem to me to eat anywhere near as much as summer. But perhaps that's because the daylight hours are so short and they are in bed from 4pm till 8am. Sure they were just fine and you worried for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
