duchess Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hi all. I am thinking about maybe starting a chicken sitting service next year and was wondering if any of you have ever used a chicken sitting service or maybe run one yourself. Any advice on how to get started and what services you would expect/provide, costs etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hi Duchess I was thinking along the same lines myself but rather than a sitting service, a visit/feed service but I don't know what demand would be like where we are to be honest. Look forward to reading the replies to this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 I use one. I pay £8 per day for once-daily feeding, watering, poo-picking and checking up on. The chickens stay in their own garden. I'd also expect the sitter to take them to the vet if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbourne12 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 We've seen a chicken sitting service whereby the customer delivers and picks up the chickens. The chicken sitter houses, feeds, and waters them. It costs £1 per day per bird up to three birds, and 75p per day per bird for four birds or more. (The cost for 3 birds is the same as for 4) We haven't yet used such a service, or the other variant where someone visits our site, but we will certainly be doing so when we next go on holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-marks Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 When we go on holiday, my girls also go off on their hols to a hen boarding service - Newland Grange nr Malvern. It's excellent having peace of mind knowing they are looked after and safe! Well worth it! Good luck with your venture - I'm sure there'll be a market for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duchess Posted October 22, 2011 Author Share Posted October 22, 2011 Thankyou for your replies. Interesting and useful to hear other peoples experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 I use a boarding service at a local breeders. He feeds & houses them for me. They have a newly cleaned house & large fenced off area to themselves - its £1.50 per chicken per night & includes food & treats etc. You might also want to google The Chicken Hotel which has recently opened in Cornwall. It looks good & has had a lot of publicity down here in the SW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 I saw the chicken hotel advertised as well. So many people have back garden chickens now there must be a market. Mine go back to their breeder for £1 per night each and that includes their food and they are in a lovely big pen which is fox proof. I used to worry about the upset to their routine but it is as if they have never been away when they come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I haven't had to use a chicken sitting service but my dog sitter would be happy to let my chickens out in the morning and shut them in at night. I'd expect to pay about £8-£10 a day. As well as the open up / shut in service, I would also ask her to freshen up the food and put fresh water down each day and to do poo picking (but not a total clean out) for that money. Hope this is not un-realistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
