Sooo much pooping

[newcountrygirl]

 

Wonder if anyone can offer advise about what to do. We only moved into our cottage a year this coming April. We are quite isolated and only have 1 neighbour. Ever since we moved in he has called around every week and we have helped him with some things and also been out socially with him (he is in his 60's) Whenever we have needed him to he has come round and checked the chickens and fed and watered them if we were away for a few days. We have also looked after his dog for him so it's a two way thing.

 

Anyway suddenly the last two weeks he has stopped coming around. i was worried and couldnt understand why - we've sent him messages which he replied to and just said he was busy but would call round - he didn't. My hubby called round to see him and said he told him nothing was wrong but he'd been busy and would call round soon - but my hubby felt he was a bit distant with him. We told him we valued his friendship but don't know what else to do.

 

I'm now getting worried about what to do with the chickens when we go away (not until May) I have one of the galvanised feeders which is supposed to let food down as it empties but it doesn't seem to work that well. Does anyone know of something we can get for both feed and water so that we could if necessary leave the chickens (at the most 4 days) The have an eglu go and a WIR so they are quite secure.

[WitchHazel]

Sorry to hear that something has happened with your neighbour. We depend on ours when we go away as well, I hope you manage to get it resolved by May.

 

This might be waaaay above what you are prepared to pay but I would thoroughly recommend a "Grandpas Feeder". You need to get it a few weeks in advance, as it takes the chooks a week or 2 to be confident using it.

 

http://www.grandpasfeeders.co.uk/

 

We use these on our Allotment pens, as they leep the food dry, rats can't get in, and they are safe and easy for even our biggest chooks to use.

 

I've had the cheaper treadle feeders, and they just aren't worth it (IMHO). Our bigger chooks had trouble using them, and they had a lot of sharp edges.

 

That doesn't help with the watering side of things, but it might help with the feeder part.

[newcountrygirl]

Thanks Witchazel. I don't know what we can do - re the neighbour - It's really odd. I am just going to keep trying with him If not I will look into getting something like you suggest. It's just really hard when you don't know anyone. Oh well I've got a bit of leeway as it's not til May.

[Barkisland]

Hopefully your neighbour will have restored the friendship by May.

I don't know how many chickens you have, but I have two 12 litre drinkers and two 3kg super feeders in my walk in run and if I fill them all they last my 5 girls for longer than a week.

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/BEC_Plastic_Fountain_Drinker.html

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Poultry_Feeder_Hopper.html

You could do with someone to collect the eggs though.

[majuka]

Perhaps something unrelated has happened that has upset your neighbour and that is why he is being a bit distant. Hopefully it will be resolved by the time you are due to go away.

[newcountrygirl]

Thanks folks. I have no idea what's wrong with my neighbour. We are going to keep trying with him. I hate this situation - especially as I haven't got a clue why he's suddenly stopped calling round. I don't like falling out or arguing with people and it's making me feel quite upset.

[keyhole kate]

Thanks folks. I have no idea what's wrong with my neighbour. We are going to keep trying with him. I hate this situation - especially as I haven't got a clue why he's suddenly stopped calling round. I don't like falling out or arguing with people and it's making me feel quite upset.

 

If you dont feel that you can approach your neighbour directly could you perhaps write your neighbour a letter explaining that you value his friendship and that his sudden change of behaviour is worrying and upsetting you, and that if you have unknowingly said or done something to upset or offend him that you would appreciate the chance to mend things? if it is something unconnected with yourselves he may be more likely to share his worries knowing that that you are concerned to care enough to write ? If he dosent respond at least you will have tried

[Stella14]

I wonder if it might be a bit premature for serious talks or letters. We humans tend to assume the problem is something we have done when someone we know has a change of attitude and seems distant, but people often behave that way when something totally unrelated is bothering them. He may be worried about a personal matter that he doesn't want to talk about! I'd say, just keep being a friend and see how it goes for a while.

[Eggie232]

Have you thought about a pet sitting company like 'Petpals'???? I live in a rural area and they come out to look after my chicks for a few extra pounds on top of their normal fee. Might be worth a look?

[meezers]

For water I have 2 of those big white drums on legs, can't think of the correct name at the moment, but I know when full they last my 10 chooks 2 - 3 weeks depending on the weather , not sure if you'd have room for one in your run? but I don't have to worry about my neighbour phaffing around with water when we are on holiday.

 

Have just checked and they are 30 litre trap drinkers.

[newcountrygirl]

Thanks everyone. We had already tried going round which wasnt successful - he said everything was ok and he would come round last week but didn't so we are back to square one. I told him that we valued his friendship so we will just keep trying. If not i have a few avenues to explore now.