What to do when you go on holiday?

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What to do when you go on holiday?
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Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 3:49 pm Post subject: What to do when you go on holiday?

Or anywhere else?

Since we got our chickens we've been away for the occasional night but always back early in the morning to let them out and feed and water; plus one 5 day holiday, when we moved them to OH's mum to be looked after. Wouldn't trust our neighbours to look after a brick let alone a chicken....and if friends/relatives had to make the journey to feed and water it would be a lot of trouble for them and worry for us.

Just wondered how other people with large amounts of livestock get buy. "Not going away" will be the main answer and I can see why, but what about when you do have to?

It's difficult to get people where we are now to understand how vulnerable chickens are to foxes, or how important fresh water is.

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 3:53 pm Post subject:
FInd another friendly downsizer near you and do the same for them in return? Probably not a sensible suggestion but I can't think of anything.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 3:56 pm Post subject:
I can, but it's heartless.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 3:58 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

I can, but it's heartless.

Just what i was thinking

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:03 pm Post subject:
Yes but then they'd have no eggs for breakfast when they came home. Be a rather large chicken curry for tea though.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:10 pm Post subject:
You can buy new ones. Don't think of it as a holiday, think of it as an opportunity for flock renewal.

Hannah

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 277
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:12 pm Post subject:

Bugs, I have seen this question asked on other sites too (and on one by me!). The main answer seems to be to ask a friendly neighbour to do it. I'm lucky because the farmer next door is quite willing to look after my pigs.

I did also post a notice in my local village store looking for people who had experience with farm animals if they wanted to "pet sit". I would have paid them �10 a day to check on animals twice but obviously what you offer is up to you. Possibly free eggs instead of payment? I got three replies so it did work, however I shall be using the farmer's free service, as I can then return the favour.

Hope you find an answer!

Hannah

Hannah

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 277
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:13 pm Post subject:

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:29 pm Post subject:
We did get next door to do it ( and of course they get to keep the eggs). It worked out well, our neighbour is a frustrated chicken keeper anyways, his wife won't let him, and actually his 10 year old son let them out in the morning and enjoyed the responsibility. Result all round.

sofaloaf

Joined: 20 Feb 2005
Posts: 18
Location: Kent

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 4:49 pm Post subject:
If we go on holiday, we'll get my uncle to house-sit, but I know that this is not an option for many. It's a difficult one!

Wombat

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 396
Location: SW Cheshire

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 6:30 pm Post subject:
We have a single mum friend and her daughter stay in house and look after everything, yes even sometimes my Port!! Works well though, they enjoy being in the village and we pay them same as putting dogs in kennels per day. Doesn't sound very good that, but we do supply all food, goodies, etc. Wombat

Gertie

Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 6:40 pm Post subject:

Last year we had a week in Spain and 10 days in France. I'm the sad one who hates going away, but once I'm away I'm ok. then worse bit is coming home - on the journey I am wondering if there is any bad news!!

This year we are doing some work on the house so have decided we won't be going abroad (HOORAH!).

We look after pets in our street - we looked after next door's old staffie for a couple of weeks - bless her - Lundy fell in love and although he complains about me buying additional food for the cats in the street, didn't quaver when I asked him why we were buying a big box of dog chews - despite not having a dog.

You see pet sitters advertised in glossy magazines, but bet they are a fortune, you have to make sure there is enough food for them, pay expenses, plus a daily figure. I would rather have friends and family do that and pay them extra.

Nanny

Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 7:57 pm Post subject: holiday

you can ask your neighbour (i wouldn't ask mine)

you can get a friend or realtive to live in

you stay home

we have chosen the third option for the last 5 years but that was before we had accumlated all the extra creatures we now have

there are enough things at home to keep me going forever, therre is no travel trauma and you don't worry about the animals

maybe one day we will go to scotland again which is where i would like to live if i had my druthers but the house isn't finshed and i would not feel right spending the money on a holiday when we could do with so many other things

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 8:16 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

You can buy new ones. Don't think of it as a holiday, think of it as an opportunity for flock renewal.

That reminds me, when's your puppy read for the table.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 9:01 pm Post subject:
See Cab's posts about why eating carnivores is a bad idea. Besides he is neither free-range nor organic.

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