Leaving the Farm for a Few Days Without Worry

Going away from the farm isn’t just locking the door behind you. You still have to look after your animals; the weather can change, and small issues can grow with no one to notice them.

Basic Animal Care

Animals need reliability more than anything else. This means the water sources need to be filled completely, with the option of having a secondary source in the event of an emergency, since the pipes might clog, freeze, or shut off due to temperature changes.

Instead of simply filling the food containers, they need to be emptied completely and then filled again.

This helps in the long run because it becomes easier to handle the food supply. If you have help with this, it’s important to leave instructions for the person in charge to follow.

Walking the Farm

Before leaving, take a slow walk around the property. It helps catch small issues before they turn into bigger repairs.

While you’re doing that, check a few key things:

• Gates and latches: Make sure all gates are fully closed and secured so wind or animals can’t push them open.
• Hoses and connections: Check potential leaky spots that may drain water while away.
• Loose items outside: Items like buckets and panels should be tied down so they don’t blow away in the wind.
• Fence lines and branches: Remove branches leaning on fences or structures to prevent damage when the weather changes.
• Ground drainage around buildings: Check that there’s no accumulation of water around the barn, shed, or house entrance since it may cause flooding.

It’s essential to think about the next few days and not just the present. If something doesn’t cause damage today, it may within one or two days due to weather changes while you’re away.

Prepare the House

Preparing the house is still important even when the weather is good, as it helps avoid problems when returning home and keeps it from getting damaged while away. 

A quick house reset helps prevent surprises:

• Trash: Remove all the trash to avoid pests and bad smells.
• Laundry: Avoid leaving laundry to dry for long periods, as this may cause mildew.
• Lights: Set up lights on timers so they turn on in the evening to avoid leaving the house completely in the dark.
• Perishable food: Remove perishable items to prevent odors and unnecessary waste after a few days.
• Thermostat: Set a stable indoor temperature to protect plumbing and appliances, and clear the refrigerator to prevent odors and waste.

These steps help you return to a clean, comfortable home instead of unexpected problems.

Protect Water Systems

The water system is one of the most common problem areas when leaving your house for a short trip. The primary step is to make sure the water tanks are not being drained by spending a little time ensuring water hoses and connections aren’t dripping or leaking.

If your house is equipped with an automatic water system, it’s always best to run a full cycle before leaving. While this might take a couple of minutes, it can save you from coming back to a failed water system or a flooded yard.

Checking In While Away

Property owners have become accustomed to checking cameras, weather sensors, or even their water systems while away on a trip. This is usually done at a café, a library (where the Wi-Fi connection may not be secure), or a small business during normal errands. Spending some time checking in helps ensure everything is functioning properly.

Before you sign in to any accounts connected to the property on public Wi-Fi, take precautions and download a VPN to keep your connection private.

After that, checking systems becomes part of a normal routine rather than a concern, and a quick look once or twice a day is usually enough to understand the status.

Make Help Easy

When someone stops by to help, good preparation helps the visit go smoothly. A clear, organized setup removes hesitation and lets them handle anything unusual with confidence.

Make things simple for anyone helping:

• Feeding: Clearly state how much food each animal is getting and how often.
• Tools: Make buckets, scoops, and tools easy to find.
• Containers: Label food, minerals, and supplements so they’re not confused.
• Contact: Provide one phone number and explain when it should be used.

Simple instructions shouldn’t require guessing, and tools shouldn’t require searching.

Secure Entrances and Equipment

The outbuildings, gates, and storage facilities should be closed and secure but accessible. It may be better to lock one storage area rather than locking the whole place to keep everything secure and accessible.

The outside objects should be kept in storage or tied down to prevent them from blowing away in the wind. The fuel containers, tools, and small objects should be kept inside to prevent them from being damaged by weather conditions and to keep unwanted visitors away.

A Calmer Return

Returning home shouldn’t cause stress when everything is prepared and organized. The place stays the same, the animals stay the same, and everything follows the same routine. There’s still work to be done on the farm, but having a routine prevents extra worry when returning.

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