Summertime is here, and for many of us, traveling is finally on the agenda! If you’re an active explorer, but also love to be self-sufficient at home, then you’ll be happy to know you can easily maintain both lifestyles! We’ll cover everything you need to have fresh eggs while comfortably leaving your flock members to vacation.
Water & Feed:
One of the most important factors when it comes to leaving your chickens is ensuring they are properly fed and watered during your time away. Our waterer and feeder options can simply be topped off and left until your return. If you plan to be away for a week or more, then you’ll need the assistance of a trusted family member or friend. Anyone unfamiliar with backyard chickens can easily refill your chicken’s food supply from outside the coop without concern of interaction.
Collect Eggs:
Regardless of the number of chickens you have, you can expect your nest box to be full upon your return. Although your chickens will still lay in occupied boxes, eventually a broken egg becomes a high probability. If your hens are laying frequently in the Spring and Summer months, it’s certainly best to have your caretaker collect eggs. Eggs can easily last in a fridge for 3-5 weeks when refrigerated. To save the responsibility of having your chicken caretaker clean your nest box, consider switching your nesting material to something highly absorbable. For ideas visit our popular blog post, “what to put in your nest box”.
But what if I want my chickens to range when I’m on vacation?
When our suggested range of hens occupies your coop, then there shouldn’t be any concern about leaving your chickens inside their coop with their replenished supply of food until your return. On-site runs are an optional addition to your coops that can be easily accommodated to your coop. Have your caretaker open your bird’s turn-out door or consider a chicken door that programs to open and closes automatically.
We hope you enjoyed reading our tips for vacationing as a backyard flock owner! For more great backyard farming tips, check out our helpful blog posts written to help backyard farmers, like you, succeed.
Have questions or comments regarding anything mentioned in this blog post? Please feel free to email us at support@roostandroot.com or give us a call at 877-741-2667. We’re real people and are always happy to help.