PETS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS

We created Flock Sitting MN with the intention that it had to be something we would want to use if were we going to be out of town for either a couple of days, a few weeks, or longer. The services we provide and care we give follow the platinum rule: treat your flock the way you’d like your flock to be treated. At the bottom of this page is a small gallery of some of our favorite pictures of our feathered friends playing around and enjoying each other’s (and our) company. It will give you a good sense of the fun we have together. We share this because we want you to know that we take pride in how we care for our animals and yours, and we hope that this allows other families to relax and enjoy their time away knowing their pets are in good wings…uh, I mean hands.

FAQs & OTHER TIDBITS

Q: What area/region do you service?
A: We are based out of Richfield, MN and service about a 15-mile radius (30-minute drive) area that encompasses most of the Twin Cities and southern suburbs. We are open to the possibility of helping people beyond that area and can work with folks on an individual basis. You can see the coverage map on our service area page.

Q: How much does flock sitting cost?
A: That depends on the size of your flock and distance from Richfield. Average cost is $25-30 for a standard visit plus any potential travel fees. If your flock has any special needs (such as medical or dietary), we can work with you on an individual basis.

Q: Do you offer any additional services?
We also offer flock services like winterizing or cleaning your coop. You can see more specifics regarding costs on our pricing page.

Q: Do you care for other pets?
A: We are foremost ‘chicken sitters’ and ‘duck sitters’. However, if you have other low maintenance pets (like birds, hamsters, rabbits, or fish) we will happily care for them while you are away as well. We don’t do dog sitting/walking at this time. If you have a cat that needs some low maintenance care, that can be discussed.

Q: What if I experience travel delays or want to extend my trip?
A: Just let us know as soon as you are able to if there is a change to your itinerary. We will try to accommodate everything we can, but we can’t guarantee extensions. We can discuss itinerary changes on an individual basis.

Q: How long do you stay during a visit?
A: A standard visit is about 15-20 minutes. Enough time to check on food/water, look for eggs, assess your flock’s health and provide any treats that you would like us to give your birds. If you require additional time for any special needs, please let us know and we can work with you on making it happen.

Q: Do you visit every day?
A: You know your flock best, so you can choose what schedule works best for you and your birds. We can visit every day, every other day, or do a customized schedule so that you know what days we are on your property and what days we are not. Due to the nature of flock sitting, we cannot guarantee any specific time of day for our visits. However, we will work with you to accommodate any specifically requested times as best we can. We are also happy to report back to you (via text/email) any concerns or just a simple update that we visited.

Q: What do you do with the eggs you collect?
A: That’s up to you! We can store them safely until your return, hand them off to a neighbor, or do (pretty much) whatever you’d like us to do with them. We can also take them with us if you don’t want to come back to an overwhelming amount of eggs.

Q: What do you do if there is an emergency?
A: We will gather your veterinarian name and contact info as well as any related information ahead of time. We are not trained in any sort of medical/vet disciplines, so we are unable to administer any emergency medical aid ourselves. However we can do the best we can to ensure your pets get the care they need while you’re away should anything unexpected occur.

Q: What about first aid?
A: For the most part we can handle basic maladies like cuts on feet, applying wound spray, and such. We wrap our ducks with gauze and give them booties when this happens. We can also add Vet Rx to their water and other routine duties that you may request. Any treatments or supplies must be provided by the owner.

Q: How do you handle biosecurity?
A: Like you, we also own fowl, so it is very important to us that we do not spread contagions to your flock, our flock, or between homes that are visited. We change our shoes/boots when we arrive on your property and/or slip on disposable booties over our footwear to reduce the spread of anything that can carry disease. We make sure to change any clothing that comes into direct contact with birds, and work hard to keep our hands clean/sanitized. If you and your flock have additional mitigation measures that you require, be sure to let us know and we will work with you to accommodate those additional needs.

Q: Can you help with house sitting?
A: We do not offer full-service house sitting, but we can lend a hand with simple chores like collecting mail and bringing up/down rubbish bins. We will also let you know if we see anything out of the ordinary during our visits.

CODE OF ETHICS

We firmly believe in upholding a code of ethics and morality that promotes inclusivity, empathy, and respect for all individuals and their pets that extends to ourselves and our clients.

1. Respect for Animal Rights: We recognize that animals have the right to live free from cruelty, exploitation, neglect, and unnecessary suffering. We commit to treating animals with kindness, empathy, and respect, acknowledging their intrinsic value as sentient beings and expect the same from pet owners
2. Prevention of Cruelty: We will actively work towards preventing all forms of animal abuse, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm. We encourage education and awareness through available resources to promote compassionate treatment of animals and discourage any activities that may cause harm or suffering.
3. Responsible Ownership: We advocate for responsible ownership of animals, including adequate provisions for shelter, nutrition, healthcare, and appropriate social interaction. We are opposed to abandoning or neglecting animals, as well as acquiring or breeding without a genuine commitment to their care and well-being.
4. Humane Treatment: In all circumstances, we will strive to ensure the humane treatment of animals. This encompasses the avoidance of unnecessary pain, suffering, or distress during any activities involving animals.
5. Basic Human Decency: We foster relationships built upon a foundation of respect, diversity, and inclusivity. As such, we have a zero-tolerance policy towards hate and intolerance. We reserve the right to deny service to individuals and households that disseminate, express, or display symbols, messages, and propaganda related to Nazism, fascism, bigotry, nationalism, or any other hate-based organizations and communities.

Flock Sitting MN reserves the right to deny service to any individual or household for violating any of the aforementioned components of our Code of Ethics.

Duck Appreciation Gallery