What to do over Summer hols?????

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Lucylou

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Opinions & suggestions please!

My chooks are kept in an enclosed run with wire roof & I shut them up in their house at night. The dilema is this -
Hubby & I are thinking of summer holidays (dreaming more like!!) & trying to work out the best way to leave the chooks, this will influence our decision to go, for how long etc.

Last year there was someone at home who locked & unlocked & we sorted a couple of people who between them cleaned & fed, that in itself wasn't a problem but all hell let loose while we were away when the girls all turned on my little Scruffy who turned out to be a cockerel. So although I don't have that situation now I've got to be aware that all in the garden may not stay rosie :o :?

This year there may not be someone at home, so this is so far the possible solutions I've come up with -
1) Leave the chooks house unlocked & door open overnight, & friend will visit during day to feed & clean (it will probably be July so warm )
2) Install automatic door closure - this would need new house/door arrangement
3) Somehow find an early riser to let them out & put them to bed at night.

Very unsure of best option in the light of the Fox attack posting.What do you all think?
 
A tough one Lucylou,your hens can be left safely with their house and run,and just no access to the rest of your garden.
Could you leave the hen house door open,and ask a reliable person to check their water and food,maybe invest in some larger containers,that will hold more of both.Ask for them to topped up say every 2 days,but have someone come and collect eggs/do a check either every morning or evening.
I realise that Victoria's Poultry did have a horrific fox attack,losing a lot of birds.Don't allow this to stop you having a holiday,my security is no-where near as good as V.P.'s.So far,no foxes have been anywhere in my garden,obviously I can't rely on this to allways happen,and I am going to make some changes to improve my birds security.
 
Thanks Lydia, I'm coming round to thinking that they would be alright without being locked up each night as long as someone checks on them daytime. I'm probably over cautious as I lost all my first little flock to a fox last summer. :evil:
We don't know our neighbour very well, but got to know them better over our shovels when we were both digging ourselves out every morning!! :lol: I've got a few months to work on them as that would be the ideal situation ;)

In the summer they wouldn't need to be closed up from the warmth aspect would they? so its only the protection asect.
 
I remember Lucylou,very distressing for you.I do dread a fox getting in too,but,if your neighbours can have the eggs that your chooks lay whilst you're away,surely they would be pleased to help you.
Also,in the summer,you're right,as long as the chooks are secure,enough food and water,they should be fine.
 
Lucylou,
Is there no-one near you who will board your hens? Mine are going to Page's Poultry for 2 weeks when we go on holiday in August. She only charges £3 per coop/per night for up to 6 hens. Great value, especially as I will be paying £12 a night for the 2 cats!
Have a good holiday, whatever you decide to do.
 
Helli,

Small world.....Susie Page is the nice poultry lady who we had our Pekins from and more recently our Barbu D'uccle. She has a lovely set up. I regularly visit her- (just to see the chickens).. . She couldn't be more helpful and dedicated. Our girls will most certainly be holidaying there!
 
HI The other summer we looked after our friends chickens for them. They brought over their coop which we put in the garden with ours chickens run is. maybe you can find someone locally who is happy to have your girls. We never even thought of charging :)

Hope that helps,

Greenhen
 
victorias poultry said:
Holiday . What is one of those???? :lol:
Click to expand...


Holiday......it does stir a dim and distant memory with me.......nope,can't remember :D .
 
bridgemontbelle said:
Lucylou,
Is there no-one near you who will board your hens? Mine are going to Page's Poultry for 2 weeks when we go on holiday in August. She only charges £3 per coop/per night for up to 6 hens. Great value, especially as I will be paying £12 a night for the 2 cats!
Have a good holiday, whatever you decide to do.
Click to expand...

I wish I lived near Page's Poultry, that sounds ideal. I have to admit to being reluctant to go on holiday or away for the weekend now. One of our neighbours comes in twice a day, although we haven't been away for more than a weekend since we got the chickens. She says she enjoys it, and she loves chickens and I've said I'll look after hers any time but she hasn't asked yet. Could be something to do with the amount of panic phone calls I've made to her when I think my chickens aren't well :D

I don't like to ask too often though. I don't suppose anyone knows of a chicken minder or boarding place near us - we're on the Suffolk/Norfolk border near Thetford and Bury St Edmunds.
 
If only Page's Poultry was nearer that sounds an excellent solution! Don't know of anything like that round here, maybe someone should start one up :lol:
 
dawn said:
I don't suppose anyone knows of a chicken minder or boarding place near us - we're on the Suffolk/Norfolk border near Thetford and Bury St Edmunds.
Click to expand...

I'm in Bedfordshire near M1 J13 if you are really stuck. I guess a little too far unless you are driving to Luton or Heathrow airport. I have two field runs empty with green grass and can take 12 to 15 chooks.
 
Thanks Tim, that 's a kind offer although probably too far. Pity, I'd be completely secure if they were with the expert while I was away :)
 
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