Animals don’t care if you’re sipping iced coffee by a lake or stuck in a traffic jam—they still need food, water, and safety. Gardens keep growing (or not growing—lookin’ at you, weeds only), and things can change fast when you’re not home to keep an eye on them. So here’s how we get ready to leave the homestead in good shape and give ourselves permission to unplug for a bit.
1. Make a Simple Daily Task List for the Sitter
We don’t leave town without a short and sweet checklist for whoever’s holding down the fort. Even if it’s a trusted friend or family member, having a written list removes any guesswork. Ours usually includes:
- Feed and water the ducks, chickens, and rabbit
- Double-check all gates and latches (because yes, our goose will test them)
- Collect eggs (and keep them or toss them, depending on the time of year)
- A note about anything quirky—like how Nutmeg the rabbit likes his hay in his feeder ball, not in the bin 🙄
2. Automate What You Can
Our rain barrels are set up (finally!) and paired with a simple gravity-fed soaker hose that gives our garden a fighting chance if the weather’s hot. We’re also working on setting up a PVC-based watering system for the duck coop area—but that’ll be a post for another day once we’ve tested it.
Even if it’s just topping off waterers and pre-filling a few feeders, automating the little things can make a big difference while you’re away.
3. Prep Extra Feed and Bedding
Before we leave, we clean out all the coops and stalls and lay down fresh straw or pine shavings. Not only does this cut down on mess while we’re gone, but it also makes it easier for the sitter to handle the day-to-day stuff without needing to suit up for deep-clean duty.
We have a larger feeder we made out of a bucket with special attachments, so feeding shouldn’t be an issue for our sitter.
4. Let Go of the Perfectionism
It took me a while to be okay with this, but I’ve learned that the homestead will survive if it’s not cared for exactly how I would do it. Plants might get a little thirsty, the geese might not get their favorite snack, and that’s okay. The point of vacation is to rest—and part of that rest is releasing the guilt of leaving.
5. Leave a Thank-You Treat
Whether it’s homemade jam, a dozen eggs, or just a heartfelt note and some gas money, we always try to say thank you to whoever’s taking care of things while we’re away. It’s a big deal to trust someone with your animals and land. Gratitude goes a long way.
So here’s to summer breaks, last-minute lists, and the wild joy of handing off the reins for just a little while. We’ll be back soon—with (hopefully) some new ideas and fresh energy for the rest of the season.
Have you ever left your homestead for vacation? What’s your go-to prep tip?