Hi, new to the forum, I have 11 bantams including Eccles my cockerel. They are hilarious and have successfully raised their own chicks. Trying to find a chicken lover local to me to provide 7 days cover, for visits to my flock, check food, water and automatic door and to collect and keep eggs. I live in the PE12 area, obviously will pay for the service. They are very special and I have never left them before. I would also be able to cover for anyone’s flock locally. Thanks Hens
Holiday flock visits
- Thread starter Hens
- Start date
Hi Hens and welcome to the Forum. Whereabouts is the PE12 area? You will need somebody who lives as near as possible. Had you considered contacting the local school or youth Club leader to see if they can put you in touch with a responsible older teenager? Or put notices in local shops? Our town has its own website and Facebook page, and if I didn't already have an excellent teenager (with parental backing if needed) I would try posting on these sites as well.
My 15-year-old teenager visits the flock before we go away, and I update her verbally on what I expect her to do, and then give her a copy of what I've said in writing. This includes daily jobs and checks to carry out, my contact details, phone number and email, and contact details for my vet. I pay her £15 for a week for a minimum of one daily visit (though her mum says she spends much more time than that in with the hens!) and the promise of an extra £5 bonus if I'm pleased with what I find when I get back, which she has always earned. She enjoys the responsibility, and on one occasion two years ago, when one hen had a bad prolapse, her mum stepped up and helped her isolate the bird and later to take it to my vet.
My 15-year-old teenager visits the flock before we go away, and I update her verbally on what I expect her to do, and then give her a copy of what I've said in writing. This includes daily jobs and checks to carry out, my contact details, phone number and email, and contact details for my vet. I pay her £15 for a week for a minimum of one daily visit (though her mum says she spends much more time than that in with the hens!) and the promise of an extra £5 bonus if I'm pleased with what I find when I get back, which she has always earned. She enjoys the responsibility, and on one occasion two years ago, when one hen had a bad prolapse, her mum stepped up and helped her isolate the bird and later to take it to my vet.
Thank you for the reply Marigold, they are sobprecious but we are celebrating a Ruby wedding anniversary and my family have booked a holiday! I live in Holbeach Clough in Lincs. Your ideas are a great help, we do have a junior school very nearby, could ask them about an older pupil, we are quite rural so guess many will have Hens already. Nice to know someone else is managing a problem I have, so a solution can be found.
belleisa
Member
Hi
I contacted a dog walking cat sitting lady, as i have cats anyway and asked if she was happy to check on my hens also, and she was.
I just explained what they needed and i let her keep any eggs that are laid while i am away.
She just charges me a few extra pounds on top of what i pay for the cats.
So just a thought might be worth asking.
Good luck.
I contacted a dog walking cat sitting lady, as i have cats anyway and asked if she was happy to check on my hens also, and she was.
I just explained what they needed and i let her keep any eggs that are laid while i am away.
She just charges me a few extra pounds on top of what i pay for the cats.
So just a thought might be worth asking.
Good luck.
