Mr Rhode Island Red Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 This summer I'm going abroad for my holidays but unfortunately this leaves "Ooops, word censored!"ody to look after the chickens, so I asked my neighbour to look after them, but she doesn't have much experience whatsoever with chickens. But I have no choice. Anyway, I'm wondering how I can give my chickens the best possible chance to hang in there while I'm gone, I have shown my neighbour how to look after them by running through the normal daily procedure, but I know she probably wasn't listening , but to make matters worse she will have to deal with a broody, I am currently doing my best to snap her out of it before Saturday morning. I will fill up all the water drinkers I can find to the brim on Saturday morning, along with the food hopper so If my neighbour does forget to refill them, they hopefully won't go hungry or thirsty. I also will be making their run as fox-resistant as possible, so If they aren't put in at night (which I hope will not happen ) Mr Fox will have a task ahead of him to break into the run Does anybody have any more ideas? All replies welcome! Mr Rhode Island Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Maybe a peck-a-block to help them to stay occupied & also as a second food source? They last for ages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Anyone else who could perhaps nip in towards the end of your holiday just to check there is water and food available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Anyone else who could perhaps nip in towards the end of your holiday just to check there is water and food available? I was going to say that - perhaps to water garden & get them to double check ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 You could write a list of things down on a piece of paper and give it to your neighbour to help her remember. Does she have any way of contacting you while you are on holiday in case of any problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Is there really no one else who is more interested, that you could ask? (not terribly helpful but just wondered) If you haven't already, then maybe write down the routine, keeping it simple and clear, pointing out the essentials, it might make you feel more confident that at least she will have that to refer to if she isn't paying much attention when you show her. If she is afraid of the hens, or worried about touching them, its something you could help her with before you go? I would even consider setting up jokey email or text reminders for peace of mind (but then I am a self confessed control freak) Is she doing it because you asked her and have you agreed what her reward is? Or did she offer and there is no mention of a reward ? (I'm not saying there has to be but other than with close friends people usually need some motivation for spending their own time doing someone else a favour for some considerable time) And if you've ticked yes to all the boxes then, you are reacting like a parent leaving their offspring for the first time- quite understandable- I'm not sure that I wouldn't be exactly the same. Where are you going and for how long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 We never leave our neighbours to look after the girls though, I feel much safer leaving them at a pet hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 We're going away for 2 weeks in a while so we made our run fox proof so they don't have to be locked away at night and let out in the morning, I really don't trust my brother with that! He's in charge of the food and water though But I've asked my nan to check on them every few days just to make sure all is well And I've also put the water in the shade so it doesn't evaporate so quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Is there really no one else who is more interested, that you could ask? (not terribly helpful but just wondered)If you haven't already, then maybe write down the routine, keeping it simple and clear, pointing out the essentials, it might make you feel more confident that at least she will have that to refer to if she isn't paying much attention when you show her. If she is afraid of the hens, or worried about touching them, its something you could help her with before you go? I would even consider setting up jokey email or text reminders for peace of mind (but then I am a self confessed control freak) Is she doing it because you asked her and have you agreed what her reward is? Or did she offer and there is no mention of a reward ? (I'm not saying there has to be but other than with close friends people usually need some motivation for spending their own time doing someone else a favour for some considerable time) And if you've ticked yes to all the boxes then, you are reacting like a parent leaving their offspring for the first time- quite understandable- I'm not sure that I wouldn't be exactly the same. Where are you going and for how long? 1. -Backup person that is more interested- Just rang my Uncle and he said he would check on them through the week as a "backup" chicken sitter 2. -List to remind her of what to do- Have left a list regarding how to look after the hens 3.-Afraid of hens?- She probably isn't afraid of hens as she grew up with them 4. -Contacting her- I'll probably call her through the week to see how things are getting on 5. -Reward?- I'm letting her keep all the she collects from the girls during the week And Finally, I'm off to the shores of Lanzarote (The Canary Islands) for a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Have you tried local dog/pet sitters?.....ads usually up at the vets.........chances are they'd be able to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) Well it sounds as though you have most things covered but as to "letting her keep the eggs", while that might be something for chicken folks like us, I was thinking that she might be more enthusiastic if there was something she wanted as a reward unless she wants 40 odd eggs as payment for her time. Maybe you could bring her (and the rest of us) back some sun from Lanzarote. Hope you have a great time without worrying about the hens too much Edited July 5, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Like someone else said maybe look for a professional pet sitter in future, might cost you but you will be less stressed. I used to pay for someone to look after the cat until we moved to where we are now. Our current neighbours are fantastic, and have chickens themselves. Their teenage son even force fed maggots to one of our girls when she had an impacted crop as we had to be away for a night. Hen fully recovered by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 It costs us £1 per hen per night with ours. They supply food (although we bring our own, as our hens are very picky!), treats, and have a secure, and clean coop/run. They keep chickens themselves so they know how to look after them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egglicious Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 And Finally, I'm off to the shores of Lanzarote (The Canary Islands) for a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 For this exact reason, ours are going to a sitter for their hols when we go on ours!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 What about jotting the adress of this website down for her just incase she needs help ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Have you tried local dog/pet sitters?.....ads usually up at the vets.........chances are they'd be able to do it. Yeah, we 'trained' our local pet sitter in the art of henkeeping! It's worked a treat so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Thanks millions for all the replies...next predicament is what to pack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
