Maybe you’re going on a weekend trip, or maybe you’re going on a weeklong vacation and are worried about your chickens. One of the most common questions that chicken owners have is how long they can leave their chickens alone.
In total, it’s safe to leave your backyard chickens alone for 3-4 days with sufficient food and water. There are many factors to consider if you’re planning on leaving your chickens alone for a period of time. This includes the age of your chickens, the size of your flock, and the resources you have available to care for them.
In this article, we’ll discuss these factors, as well as several others, and provide some guidance on how long you can leave your backyard chickens alone.
Age of Your Chickens
The age of your chickens is an important factor to consider when deciding how long you can leave them alone. Newly hatched chicks require round-the-clock care and attention, including regular feeding and watering. If your chicks are still on chick starter it’s probably best to either not leave them or have a neighbor come and take care of them daily. As they grow older, they become more independent and can be left alone for longer periods.
For example, if you have adult chickens that are used to your schedule, they can be left alone for up to 3-4 days with sufficient food and water.
Size of Your Flock
The size of your flock is another important factor to consider when deciding how long you can leave your chickens alone. If you have a small flock of chickens, they will require less attention and care than a larger flock. A smaller flock can be left alone for longer periods than a larger flock, but they still need regular attention.
If you have a larger flock of chickens, you may want to consider having a neighbor or friend check on them while you are away. Alternatively, you can hire a professional pet sitter or farm sitter to care for them in your absence.
How Do I Keep My Coop Clean?
It’s advisable to thoroughly clean your coop before leaving for an extended period. This involves removing all the bedding and replacing it with slightly more than usual to prevent manure buildup while you’re away. Despite your best efforts, preventing mess and manure buildup while you’re away is challenging. However, you can prepare to clean the coop thoroughly when you return.
What about food, water, and safety while I’m away?
The resources you have available to care for your chickens are also important when determining how long you can leave them alone. If you have an automatic feeder and waterer, your chickens can be left alone for longer periods than if you have to manually feed and water them. While I have an automatic feeder, I don’t have an automatic waterer. The watering pale I do have is quite large and can easily last a few days, however, it’s always best to give them fresh water daily if at all possible.
Additionally, if you have a secure coop and run, your chickens will be safe from predators and can be left alone for longer periods. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your chickens safe, check out the article here on 25 tips to keeping your chickens safe. If your chickens are free-range or if your coop and run are not secure, you may want to limit the amount of time you leave them alone to ensure their safety.
Should I leave them extra food water or treats?
It’s actually a great idea to leave some extra food or water if you’re going to be gone for a few days. Not only does this ensure they have plenty of resources, but leaving them extras is a great way to spark curiosity amongst your chickens at a time when you won’t be around to entertain them. I tend to throw them some watermelon and cantaloupe rinds before I leave, which usually keeps them busy for days!
Are Chickens Self-Sufficient?
Answering this question can be challenging. Although chickens are known for their independence and ability to keep themselves happy without human intervention, they heavily depend on humans for their basic needs, such as food and water. Without a constant supply of these essentials, chickens can suffer from starvation, dehydration, and even death.
Free-range chickens have a much better chance of being self-sufficient than ones in the coop for sure, but that opens them up to being prey for hungry predators at a time without their protector.
As long as you ensure that your flock’s basic needs are met while you’re away, your chickens will likely remain content and happy.
What do I do about My Chicken Eggs While on Vacation?
While it’s not a big deal to let your chicken eggs go for one day, several days could cause an egg buildup catastrophe! There are many unsatisfactory reasons why you don’t want egg build-up, including chickens eating their own eggs, chickens stopping laying due to no space and stress, etc… While you’re gone it’s essential to have someone come gather the eggs at least once a day.
Usually, by telling my neighbors they can have all the eggs they collect while I’m gone, they tend to agree to gather them rather fast! This is a win-win for both parties! This is also a great way to get your neighbors to check in on your chickens for you while you’re away. People can’t help but check out the chickens while they are there gathering the eggs.
Will My Chickens Get Lonely While I’m Away?
While chickens are social animals, they tend to prefer the company of their fellow chickens over humans. While we might assume that chickens place a high value on human interaction, it is actually more crucial for them to have continuous contact with other chickens. The positive aspect of this is that you don’t have to be concerned about your chickens feeling lonely when you’re not around, as long as they have the company of the entire flock. Although they may realize that you are absent, they are unlikely to be too affected or concerned by the situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the amount of time you can leave your backyard chickens alone depends on several factors, including the age of your chickens, the size of your flock, and the resources you have available to care for them. While adult chickens can be left alone for up to 3-4 days with sufficient food and water, it is important to check on them at least once a day to ensure their health and well-being. If you have a larger flock or limited resources, you may want to consider having someone check on your chickens while you are away. Remember, let your neighbors collect and keep the eggs while you’re gone, this will ensure someone is at least coming by! By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that your chickens are well-cared for and happy, even when you are away from home.