Part-time chooks?

Magpie · Post: # 35353Post **Magpie** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:25 pm

We would like to get some chooks at our land, but will only be there part-time, say 3 nights a week. Anyone see any problems with this? No predators there, so that won't be an issue.

Just can't wait!!

Millymollymandy · Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:53 am

Do you mean the chooks will only be there part time, or you???

If you, who will feed or water them the other days of the week?

Camile · Post: # 35383Post **Camile** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:21 am

Hi Magpie,

If you are sure that there won't be any predators whatsoever ... it should be fine .. not ideal but fine ...

For the 3 nights you will be there .. would it be 3 nights in a row or spread out during the week ?

But with a big feeder and big drinker ... and once more, no predators whatsoever ... it should be ok ...

but I would be worried for the night time ...

Camile

2steps · Post: # 35387Post **2steps** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:48 am

I'd worry that the chickens being there may attract predators and that if something happened you may not be there for a day or so. For example a dog broke into my run and killed one of my chickens while the rest escaped. Fortunatly there are in my garden and I was able to get to them very quickly. The dog came back 2 days later as well. If I hadn't of been there it may of been able to kill them all. I get a fox coming to my garden now that I never did before too. Personally I feel a lot better knowing my girls are shut in a night

Stonehead · Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:31 am

Personally, I wouldn't keep any livestock unless I was able to check them at least once a day - and in some cases more often. And three evenings a week is not often either.

So, I'd say "no, hold off until you can check them at least daily".

su · Post: # 35503Post su » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:26 am

Our land is just over 7 miles away from our house and as yet we don't live up there. We do keep pigs and chickens but at the moment don't stay overnight very often. We do, however, go up and check, feed, water etc the chickens and pigs at least twice a day and every night do a head count and lock up the chickens. My hubby works two twelve hour days,two twelve hour nights then has four days off - I work four days a week which usually works out that one of us can be up there for the best part of the day while the other is at work. If for any reason we can't go up (weekend away etc) then either my sons or friends will go up and sort the animals out for us. If you can't get there at least twice a day then I would wait until you give them the time before keeping chickens. Despite being there as much as we possibly can be, we still feel guilty for not being on site overnight.

Camile · Post: # 35504Post **Camile** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:28 am

You raised a good point there ..

I would defenetly recommend a daily check up .. if not, you might as well wait untill someone can do this.

Camile

Stonehead · Post: # 35506Post **Stonehead** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:37 am

su wrote:Despite being there as much as we possibly can be, we still feel guilty for not being on site overnight.

Dont be! You still manage to check them at least twice a day, which is quite an achievement given your schedules.

Camile · Post: # 35507Post **Camile** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:38 am

And being checked twice a day is a perfect routine !

having them hanging around the house .. this is more or less how often I check them out ..

Magpie · Post: # 35581Post **Magpie** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:10 pm

OK, so jumping the gun a bit then... darn it!

We have put a caravan on our land, which is where the part-time bit comes in, we'll see how our routines end up, before putting any feathered friends there. Currently have sheep there, but they are rather less demanding than chooks. *sigh!*

Thanks for the input guys!