HuskerHens18
Crowing
I've always known that owning animals is responsiblity, going on vacation is nearly impossible. And I've fully accepted that.
Unfortunately, my uncle, the only uncle I have left, is dying. He lives down in Lousiana, and me in Nebraska. He's got no one down there with him, he lives alone and in a small camper. He's unable to walk and cant care for himself or the place. This has been going on since September. I agreed to spend his last Christmas with him and bring a trailer to help him clean up the place. I planned for at least a 2 week stay. I had someone willing to care for the chickens and other pets until now. I think I have someone willing to do it, but they'll only be able to come out 3 to 4 times a week due to their own health problems!
I can put 200lbs of feed per coop, which I would hope lasts long enough. The issue is water. I can only run one extension cord per coop, and my waterers are only 5 gallon. We are reaching below freezing temps at night, or close to. Does anyone have any ideas how to keep a lot of water available that wont freeze? I have single water heaters, but my chickens can empty it in 30 hours, I have about 18 birds per coop. I dont want them without water longer than half a day, that's just cruel. Are there any homemade waterers that can be heated and hold a lot of water? That can be made fairly cheap and filled easily.. I'm pretty much asking for a miracle. Feed and water are the only things I'm asking of this person, but is there anything else that should be done to prepare my birds for minimum care? I feel so bad asking such a thing, I never would have done this if I didn't have to. Last time I was on vacation for 5 days, 4 birds died in someone else's care and I'm just paranoid I'm giving my birds a death sentence.
Unfortunately, my uncle, the only uncle I have left, is dying. He lives down in Lousiana, and me in Nebraska. He's got no one down there with him, he lives alone and in a small camper. He's unable to walk and cant care for himself or the place. This has been going on since September. I agreed to spend his last Christmas with him and bring a trailer to help him clean up the place. I planned for at least a 2 week stay. I had someone willing to care for the chickens and other pets until now. I think I have someone willing to do it, but they'll only be able to come out 3 to 4 times a week due to their own health problems!
I can put 200lbs of feed per coop, which I would hope lasts long enough. The issue is water. I can only run one extension cord per coop, and my waterers are only 5 gallon. We are reaching below freezing temps at night, or close to. Does anyone have any ideas how to keep a lot of water available that wont freeze? I have single water heaters, but my chickens can empty it in 30 hours, I have about 18 birds per coop. I dont want them without water longer than half a day, that's just cruel. Are there any homemade waterers that can be heated and hold a lot of water? That can be made fairly cheap and filled easily.. I'm pretty much asking for a miracle. Feed and water are the only things I'm asking of this person, but is there anything else that should be done to prepare my birds for minimum care? I feel so bad asking such a thing, I never would have done this if I didn't have to. Last time I was on vacation for 5 days, 4 birds died in someone else's care and I'm just paranoid I'm giving my birds a death sentence.
!!!
Good luck! 
