Holidays

[johno]

I'm aware that chips store a very large amount of food but how long can they be left to fend for themselves with a good water supply. I'm thinking about weekends away, holidays etc. Any advice such as what you do would be great. I've also read that they dont like us going away and being looked after by someone else and they sulk!

John

[Doghouse135]

Mmmm - not something that I've ever done as my Mum moves in to look after my menagerie when I go away but I shouldn't imagine you could leave them for more than 48 hours.

Chippies need to be stimulated as well as fed and watered so they suffer in this way if they're left too

[sarah-J]

Hi johno,

They don't need feeding everyday, I feed mine dry every 2 to 3 days, depends if the slugs got there first!!! lol,

weekends will be fine, and I've left mine for a week, ( never done 2 weeks, due to spacing hols out) I give them extra food, also hiding some and give them extra water bottles.  They will not go hungry with their store of food anyway. You just need to make sure there is enough water in the hot days.  I used to get some one to feed mine, but one escaped so decided they were best left alone.

If very hot I get a neighbour to check the water, the bottle is on the outside of the aviary.

they are always pleased to see you when you get back!  

Sarah.  

[Doghouse135]

Good point Sarah.

I probably feel differently cos mine are indoors chippies so they're used to having me peering in at them every five minutes.  I expect if they're in an outdoor aviary they can be left for a bit longer.

[sarah-J]

Hi Doghouse135,

Also depends on what your comfortable with, I guess everyone has a different situation and you can only do what you think is best.

I also have 2 rabbits, and they look after themselves, they have free rein of the garden and I just give them extra food and water.

Maybe I'm a hard mean women!!!! lol


Sarah.   

[johno]

Thanks, just thinking ahead really, mine will be outside (building a smart aviary for them now) and my parents in law only live around the corner and they wouldnt have any problem watering them etc. Our teenage Son will be here but oddly enough I would prefer my Mother in Law. Teenagers are just a bit forgettful!

While I'm on here asking for advice, I would prefer 2 chips as I wouldnt want one to get bored. If I'm reading correctly its best to have 2 females together than 2 males or a male and female from the same family.

Thanks
John

[tarcus/Kevin]

Depends if you intend to let them have babies two females are always the safest bet so some will tell you. Brothers and sisters will live together quite happily for a while until mating time when they will live together even better on the males behalf at least whereas two boys will squabble over the slightest thing if they get bored
These views however are not as I say shared by all Just like humans living together is a give and take thing usually with the most dominant doing the taking given time they will calm down and live in harmony but there will always be a more dominant leader hope this helps in some way to resolve your dilema

[chris]

Hi John,

Oddly enough we also have 2 teenagers and we don't trust them to feed anything including themselves as a beer or 2 is more inviting to them lol. 
So while we are away we have my mother and my in laws staying here not only to feed the animals but to make sure the house is still in one piece when we get home