How to find a good chicken sitter and keep your coop content

Leaving town and worried about who’ll take care of your feathered friends? Finding a good chicken sitter doesn’t have to be a wild goose chase – whether you’re off on vacation or just need someone to cover your chicken duties for a few days, here are some tips to ensure your feathered family members are in good hands.

Should I get a chicken sitter?

While some poultry parents might have you convinced that you can leave your chicken chums for a day or two, you’d rather have someone there to check on them, wouldn’t you? Chicken sitters will be there to feed your feathered friends, give them water, and clean their coops, as well as collect eggs and keep an eye out for predators and any health problems your chicks may have.

How to find a good chicken sitter

The first step to finding a top-notch chicken sitter is knowing where to look:

1. A trustworthy pet sitting site

Using a site like TrustedHousesitters takes the hassle out of finding a chicken sitter. Rest easy knowing all our sitters are reviewed, referenced, and verified, your home and contents are covered for extra peace of mind on certain plans. You can browse through thousands of sitter profiles to see if they have experience with chickens or if they’re eager to learn, and reach out to those you feel you (and your chicks) will click with.

2. Your flock (of friends and neighbors)

You may be surprised at how many people you know are eager to take care of your chickens, and sometimes the best chicken sitter might live right next door! 

3. Local farms or veterinarians

Many local farms and veterinarians offer chicken sitting services or know someone who does. They might have trained staff who’re familiar with poultry care, ensuring your hens are happy and healthy while you’re away.

4. Online chicken communities

The internet is a goldmine for chicken lovers, and you can join online forums and social media groups dedicated to chicken keeping and offering recommendations and reviews of chicken sitters.

Choosing the right chicken sitter

Once you’ve decided where to find your chicken sitter, it’s time to start narrowing down your options.

1. Conduct chicken sitter interviews

Ok, an interview might sound a bit scary, but you can keep it as casual as you want. Have a friendly chat with your potential sitter about their experience with chickens and get to know them a little more. 

2. Provide your chicken sitter with clear instructions

Write down clear instructions about your chickens’ daily routine, dietary needs, and any quirky habits they might have. If your sitter is experienced with chickens, they’ll probably breeze through it, but be as detailed as you can with first-timers. The more info you can give your sitter, the better!

3. Have a meet and greet 

See if your chicken sitter can pop round before you go away to get to grips with everything. Give them a tour of the coop, show them where to find all the supplies they might need, and walk them through your chicken care routine. This will help them get comfortable with the routine and allows you to address any questions or concerns they might have.

4. Stay in touch

Leave your contact info with your sitter and check in with them as often as you want. A quick text or call can ensure everything is running smoothly and give you peace of mind.

5. Provide emergency contacts

Give your sitter a list of emergency contacts, including your vet’s number and a trusted neighbor or friend who can step in if needed. It’s always good to have a backup plan!

With TrustedHousesitters, you can pay a single annual fee and enjoy a whole year of unlimited pet sitting. Forget paying per pet (which can add up quickly with a flock of feathered friends!) or any additional services, this is pet care made simple and affordable.