Chicken sitters wanted

[G Schofield]

Hi, I am new to this website and wondered if anyone could help.... We recently decided to get some chickens for our garden. We did our research and purchased a beautiful green eglu (which we and the chickens are delighted with!). My main issue is finding someone to look after them when we next go on holiday. Are there any organisations or clubs who run a chicken sitting service in the west yorkshire area? Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Gill & Bella, Ginger, TP and Summer Pudding.

[MaureenHall]

That would be a really good idea for someone to set up!!! I organised one of my daughters and a chooky neighbour to share the duties over the Christmas period for me, but if I didn't have them, I'd be completely stuck Sorry I can't help you though, Huddersfield is just a little bit too far to go to let the girls out, go back and collect the eggs, and go back again to lock them up for the night.

A big welcome to chookaholics anonymous Any chance of a picture or two of your girls?

[G Schofield]

Thanks for that.... I'll try and upload some pics. These girls have definately got a place in our hearts. My son and daughter love spending time with them. I didnt realise they were so friendly. They love to be handled and bathed (and dryed off with the hair dryer). We started off with a Bluebelle (bella) and a gingernut ranger (ginger) but got hooked and added to our flock with a Cream Legbar (TP my husband thought it looked like a turkey pigeon!!!! named stuck) and a Wellsummer (summer pudding although she I think I was dupped as she looks nothing like a wellsummer. Maybe someone could tell me what she is? She has a fantastic nature but is much bigger than the hybrids and looks more like a flying christmas pudding right now. (Yes she can clear a 6ft fence!!!). She is a buff colour with black collar and tail a bit like a sussex???? or a columbian ????. Wouldnt buy from that guy again....... both arrived with the sneezes and a lot younger than originally told..... Well lesson learnt. Sorry, I'm blabbing on a bit now. Will try and load pics.

If you do know of any chicken sitters please let me know.
Thanks.
Gill

[frias]

Welcome to the vine Gill. I think chicken sitters can be found on the Omlet website.
We have a house which is far too big for us but we'd like a bigger garden for the chooks. Can't move though as we have a wonderful neighbour who is happy to look after our chooks when we go on holiday.

[vicky]

Welcome to the vine Gill!
Do you have any friends or neighbours nearby that would chicken sit? My old neighbours used to find it quite exciting looking after my chooks for a week.

[G Schofield]

Thanks for you replys.

Unfortunately, my neighbours are difficult to pin down. One lot have a touring caravan and are away all the school holidays and the other side go back to hong kong for half the year and dont like chickens. My neighbours further along are retired and spend most of there time in france at their gite (lucky devils). So you can see my dilemma. I have looked at the omlet site but there arent any nearby.

I will have to work my way further up the avenue asking neighbours I dont really know.....

[Suechooks]

Try Poultrychat forum. I seem to remember there was a thread there and a list of willing chicken folk who gave their location.

[MaureenHall]

Think you'll just have to go on a camping holiday in this country and take your girls with you Wheels on the eglu and tow it behind the car? (got my silly head on today )

[lynda66]

i'm not too far from you, so could help, but unfortunately have no transport ... hope you get sorted xx

[Polly Fouracre]

Put a postcard in the local shop/post office. I dare say a lot of folk would jump at the chance to look after hens and to have the eggs. You may even find other poultry keepers and start a sitting circle!

[janeyo]

Hi I will pm you - on my chicken forum there are chicken sitters I think

[Bramble-Poultry]

if you lived nearer, Jen and I intend to offer a "bed and breakfast" for chooks this year. We "hopefully" (as long as jennie doesnt keep filling them ) will have a few spare pens that the birds can be placed in whilst you are away.

We have a tame chicken vet on call so could happily provide, just need to work out the logistics really. Its an idea in the bud as it were.

[Eco-Chic]

Mike,

Does Jennie know that she'll have to give the chooks back at the end of their stay?

There is a Chook B&B near Potters Bar charging £35 per week to board up to 7 chickens.

[Bramble-Poultry]

yes i know she will have to give them back. i am kinda hoping that way she will get her fix without buying more!

she is trying to buy more birds as we speak. she is looking for an unrelated cockerel to go with her christmas pressie. the only issue is that the cockerel comes with ladies........

[G Schofield]

Theres some great ideas there guys, thanks a lot. I wll definately try the postcard in a newsagents and the websites mentioned. Heres hoping for a good responce......

Gill:-]