[harefarm]

As another part of our business we are thinking about chicken boarding but wanted to know about the demand.

We had a customer here yesterday asking if we would consider boarding for chickens, so I thought I would ask if any of you would have any idea of how popular it is and if there is much call for it.

Thanks in advance.

[shygirl]

we have boarded chicks and chicken before whils their owners were on holiday. im sure they is a demand as many people have back garden chickens now.

[chrismahon]

Problem is cross-infection and stress for the chickens Harefarm. They could leave your boarding ill (for which you would be blamed), or they could leave pests in the coop or affect your own birds with a virus.


Sure the cash would be useful though.

[Torrin37]

We have thought about this  The problem as I see it is (as well as disease control as mentioned) cost vs return.  People will only leave their hens in secure and clean accommodation and settings up several fox proof, nice looking enclosures with easy to clean runs may well not be worth the £5 a night return

[harefarm]

Thank you for your replies. It is something we will have to think long and hard about. As you said, 1/ Is it profitable? 2/ Health and mite/parasite possibilities.

Thanks again

[shygirl]

if you have an area like small individual pens on concrete, that can be sterilised and be escape/rat proof, then why not? aslong as they sign a contract that you wont be responsible if they pop their clogs etc and that you take all precautions to avoid disease tranfer etc.
if you have to build from scratch it may be expensive.
our pens were already there as we used them for quails and rearing chicks etc.

[chrismahon]

There may be a market for 'babysitting', where you let them out, feed and water them, clean them out and ensure they are all in at night. They would have to be nearby of course otherwise the cost of transport and time would be disproportionate? Then again perhaps it is impractical.