Vacation Time – Keeping Chickens Safe & Healthy When Away

Caring for chickens and enjoying their beauty and eggs are part of a healthy lifestyle yet it comes with everyday responsibility. Every once in a while, a flock owner needs a vacation or weekend getaway. Ensuring that the flock is safe while its owner is gone can be challenging. There are solutions.
Many aspects of chicken care must be done daily. These include filling waterers and feeders, opening the pop hole each morning and closing it at dusk, and collecting eggs. Other tasks include fending off a predator, keeping bird’s safe during extreme weather and, rarely, caring for a sick or injured chicken,
FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS
Nothing beats having friends, family or neighbors as temporary chicken caregivers. Few people have ever tended chickens. While they may be eager to fill in, they likely need training and coaching. A wise flockowner lines up substitute caregivers well before the vacation so there is plenty of time to train the sub. Having a few volunteers ready to fill in is invaluable should an unexpected trip come up at short notice.
A trusty substitute should be comfortable around the flock and know what needs to be done and where supplies are. Here are a few tips.
- Leave a cell phone number and other contact information in case the sub needs to be in touch.
- Before leaving fill all waterers and feeders.
- Post in the coop in a plastic sleeve to keep it clean a written list of daily tasks.
- Have plenty of extra feed in storage near the coop so the caretaker doesn’t have to buy any when you’re gone.
- Welcome the caregiver to take eggs home to enjoy. Leave extra egg boxes handy to make carrying them easy.
- Assure the caregiver that every once in a while, a chicken dies. Be sure he or she understands that this happens and is not his fault. Let the caregiver know how to dispose of a dead bird.There are ways to legally and safely dispose of a dead chicken. Burying is an option. Many communities allow homeowners to place dead animals in the trash if the body is placed in double or triple plastic bags. Check with your town’s sanitation department to learn the procedure. If it’s hot and trash collection won’t occur for several days it may be wise to triple bag and seal the dead hen and put her in a freezer until trash day.
- Show the caregiver how to open and latch windows in case of severe weather.
- Offer to care for their own chickens, pets, or home when they are away. If appropriate offer to pay them and bring them a small gift from the trip.
A WEEKEND GETAWAY
For a very short absence during mild weather it’s possible to set up a coop so the flock is fine without daily human attention. Having supplies on hand and the coop prepared for a couple of days absence makes leaving them untended possible even though it’s always best to have a substitute visit daily.
There are two possible problems in leaving hens without daily care. One is egg collection. Ideally eggs should be collected every day. When uncollected so many eggs can accumulate in the nest that some may break. Nests designed so eggs roll out for easy collection solve the problem. A second problem is opening and closing the pop hole. Solar or timer controlled devices can be purchased to automatically open and close the door at the proper time. Or, simply leave the hens inside for a couple of days.
Redundant waterers and feeders are important. Have at least two waterers in the coop just in case one leaks when you are gone.
Chickens should never be left untended if extreme cold or beastly heat are predicted. Cold freezes drinking water and eggs, and chickens can die if left in a stifling coop without relief.
Everyone needs to get away once in a while. With a little preparation and good friends, the flock will be healthy and productive while its owner sits on a distant beach or enjoys a weekend in the mountains.