First Visitors Arrive on Saturday!

[OverWyreGrower]

My first 'chicken sitting' clients arrive on Saturday!
I'll be looking after 2 hens for 2 weeks, whilst the family go on holiday.

They're going in a seperate pen, rather than the large run, as they're not used to other hens etc.

And, I'm being paid for it

[RichmondHens]

Ooh so you're taking in guests? I'm sure you've thought about this already but do keep them well away from your own birds in case they arrive with bugs etc. And make sure the owners give you permission to treat any nasties if they show up and that they understand treatment will cost extra. They will probably be fine but you don't want someone showing up with myco, lice etc which will then spread round your birds. And it's amazing how many people "don't notice" their birds have scaly leg until you point it out!

A vet friend of ours was asked to look after someone's hens for a week and found the hen house heaving with red mite. She spent the week getting rid of it for them as felt so sorry for the hens. Definitely over and above the call of duty.

[OverWyreGrower]

Oh yes, they'll be going into a hen house liberally dusted with powder; and having a check-up with the owners present (e.g. to ensure no mites/lice etc); plus a dusting for at least 3 or 4 nights!

They are staying in one of our spare little houses, which was re-creosoted last year, and has been empty ever since. I've given it a good airing in the nice weather we've had, so it should be fine. I'd drop some ACV in their water, just to perk them up a bit, and they've got some new woodchip to scratch in.

It's not something I would usually have done, but their usual chicken-sitter has been taken ill (she stays at their house) and they are off on a big family holiday for a wedding anniversary with extended family, so can't really cancel that for 2 chickens....

[RichmondHens]

Sounds like you've got it all sorted then - enjoy!!!

[OverWyreGrower]

And if it goes well, I'm thinking of advertising in a couple of local pet shops.... I could take up to 5 or 6 hens, which is probably the number most people have as 'back garden' chicken keepers...