[nerdle]

Just about to go away for the first time since her ladyship arrived. She has a lovely coop inside the shed and an auto pop hole cover that works well.

I've let her roost in her nesting box (she wants to and I'm soft).  My plan is to leave food and water inside her coop so the food is not accessible to rats at night. Mice could get in there but hoping not within the 10 days.  The hensitters duty will be a daily visit each pm to check food/water poo pick and collect eggs.

My question is: should I insist that someone is here every day - can she roost at night on an egg if it hasn't been collected? Can any days be missed?

[joyfull]

really it is best that somebody goes in everyday - she may become ill etc. She can sleep on an egg if the shell is strong enough - afterall that is what broody hens do, however as you don't know how old she is her shells could be weak.
Why do you think rats couldn't get into where the food is but mice can? Rats are able to squeeze through the tiniest of gaps just like mice 

[nerdle]

OK I take your point about rats. Its just ten days..... I wanted to save someone the trouble of bringing food every morning and taking it away every night on top of housekeeping in the afternoon.

We did get a soft egg yesterday (too many treats).  She sometimes lays mid-day which is why pm is best for daily visit.

I may need a team of people then....  does anyone have a hen sitting system they are happy with?

[joyfull]

I get a friend to call in morning and night every day in exchange for eggs and petrol money.
She also feeds my feral cat 

[ManicMum]

We are lucky in that we have 2 or 3 neighbours who love to chicken-sit; they like the contact and the eggs, their kids love feeding the girls - we have to share out the chances!

They come in the morning to let the girls out & check food & water, pop in after school to give them some grain, socialise & collect eggs, then go in later to shut the pop hole & put the food & water away.

I sit for my friend which is a short car-ride away, and it's really hard ssometimes to do that final trip to put the birds to bed - so try to get people who are literally a couple of doors away as it's easier.

[Raven81]

Could you get one person for the morning and another for the evening?

If one is just a case of opening or closing a pop hole do you have a neighbourly teenager willing to earn a few pennies?

Or is there someone that you could swap with and look after their animals when they go away?

[nerdle]

Hello
Thanks for helpful e-mails. The pop hole is automatic so don't need anyone to do that.  It's not letting rats get food and then removing eggs I need. 

I'll work my way from one end of the street to the other and not stop till I find that person!  I have eggs now for payment in advance... 

Browsed a chicken feeder gadget today - leaving in a week so running out of time....

I'll let you know how I get on!

[joyfull]

if you can have your feeder hanging that may help keep it out of rats reach. However you do need somebody to check that the water hasn't been tipped over. If you can sort out the feeder may get away with 1 visit a day (the auto pop hole is a big plus  ).

[Fisherman]

For peace of mind I use a treadle feeder and an automatic drinker which hold a weeks worth of pellets and water. The treadle feeder reduces vermin but if the birds are that way out they will fling some pellets out and about. I also have an automatic opener again for peace of mind. Then when we are away I have someone visit once a day and all being well all they need to do is a quick check and collect eggs. Freezing weather is my biggest concern should the drinker freeze up.

[twigs]

I am happy to leave my hens for a weekend, I fill the hoppers and drinkers and leave them out for that time.  I have auto openers on the coops so no worries about shutting them up at night.  As for leaving for longer, I would get someone to pop in every day.....

[nerdle]

Hello again
The treadle feeder looks good for a future occasion.  The hanging feeder is worth a look too.  When will the spending end???

It was exactly the same when I got my dog - all the people you were sure would help
would not but great long term dog sitting exchangers turned up just in time!

I now have a willing neighbour but I'll ask other neighbours to just call in to cast an eye to be sure.  If she's happy to visit twice a day great - if not I'll leave her food inside and hope rats don't gnaw though in the ten days..... 

Thank you all - wish you all lived next door (what a neighbourhood that would be)!

[joyfull]

you could also get your chicken sitter onto here so if there are any problems they can ask for advice  

[nerdle]

That's good idea.  I've seen hen-sitter panicky queries on here!

[themagicaltoad1]

I know this is a bit off the subject but do you only have the one hen? she must be lonely, maybe after your holiday you could get her a friend or two?

[nerdle]

Hello
Yes I hear that a lot.  I started a discussion  called 'lonely hen' which will stilil be there somewhere.