Do you need a chicken-sitter when you go away?

Planning to take a well-earned break this holiday season? Before you pack your bags, it’s important to consider how your chickens will be cared for while you’re away. After all, you will be more relaxed if you know your flock is well looked after! 

In some circumstances, chickens will be just fine without a pet-sitter. But sometimes it is better to arrange a chicken-sitter to look after your birds. Fortunately, your flock will provide their own payment in the form of fresh eggs! 

There are a few key things to think about when you are deciding whether or not to get a chicken-sitter:

• How long will you be gone?
• Can you provide plenty of feed and water?
• Is your coop secure?
• Is there likely to be extreme weather like a heatwave, storms or bushfire?
• Will eggs left in the nesting box cause issues like egg-eating or broodiness?

Find out if you need a chicken-sitter

Take our quick quiz to decide if you need a chicken-sitter for your girls while you are away or whether they'll be just fine on their own.

By planning ahead and assessing your setup, you’ll know whether your chickens can manage or if a sitter is essential.

What do chickens need while I am away?

5 easy steps to look after your chickens while you're away

By following these guidelines, you can go away for a few days and know that your chickens will be perfectly fine without parental, or human, supervision.

1. Water

Chickens need a minimum of 500 ml of water per bird per day. In hot weather, chickens may drink up to 1 L and other factors like diet can also increase water consumption. Chickens must have adequate water or they are at risk of dehydration and death. 

Planning for chickens' water needs while you are away:

• Stable containers: Always choose a stable waterer that cannot be spilled or fall over, leaving your chickens without water.
• Extra water: Always provide more water than you think your birds will need. Even if you have an Automatic Drinker, you should also have a secondary drinker just in case!
• Plenty of water: Automatic Mains Pressure Drinkers are a great option if you can set one up, or our 20 Litre Drum Drinker contains enough water to keep ten birds happy for four days (at 500 ml/day each).

2. Security of chickens

Chickens should not be left unlocked at night and even in the day time a  predator-proof run with a roof is recommended if you will be away. Even if you've never seen a predator in your yard, chickens are defenceless and especially if you are not around! 

You also need to ensure your chickens are safe from extreme weather, such as  heatwaves and floods!

3. Feed

Ensure chickens have access to approximately 120g of feed per bird, per day. Larger birds will eat more, so monitor your flock before you go to work out how much feed they need.

Browse our Feeder and Drinker kits to equip your chicken coop with enough Feeders and Drinkers before your holiday.

4. Egg collection

Leaving eggs in the nesting box for extended periods is just asking for trouble. Eggs can easily be broken, and once an egg is broken, chickens will eat it. This is how chickens become egg-eaters, which is the last thing you want in a backyard chicken coop!

If you will be away for more than a couple of days, a  Roll-Away Nesting Box is a must-have unless you have arranged for someone to collect the eggs.

5. Avoiding boredom

Cooped up chickens are physically okay, but they get bored. And boredom = trouble. They might not rip up your cushions or chew your shoes, but chickens will pick on and peck each other. It may only be a few days, but providing your chickens with some amusement while you’re gone can help if they’re not going to be able to free-range. Check out our  chicken boredom busters here. 

Happy chicken keeping!

Rachael at Dine a Chook Australia