What Do You Look For In A Farm Sitter

[messybun]

True with horses and body language. Same to a lesser degree with some others. Always speak to a horse as you approach.

If a family has only a couple horses, it's not a bad thing to work. It's when they have multi animals, and milking! That's when it's knowledge needed and before visits. I've helped neighbors.

Most will depend on friends and family, working trade offs for each other. My DD will fed/water, count noses. She doesn't milk but would if "had" to, like emergency.

An owner will usually make it as easy as possible. They don't want issues either. Always have a vet number posted. In case.

I’ve watched horsemen work through video and read up before. Classic horse girl with no horse, and I have found a lot of the techniques work fabulously with my goats. Like turning your body/attention away from the animal until they’re comfortable. Working up slowly.

 

[Baymule]

I had Chris come over several times to feed, the last trial run was without me. Main concern was that the dogs weren’t aggressive towards him. They love him!

So if you want to set your mind at ease, and that of the farm owners, offer to make a free trip, letting the owners instruct you. I think any farm owners would like that consideration.

Write down names of animals and take their pictures. Make a page for them, what they eat, how often, any medications, personality quirks. Let owners know this because you want repeat business and they can give you any changes over the phone without you having to go there each time . If you have many customers, you won’t be able to remember all the animals, names and needs. You can use a loose leaf ring binder with dividers or individual brad folders with farm name on front. Put address, their names, phone numbers, emergency numbers, their vet, etc. This will make you look professional, with the care of their animals important to you.

Send a thank you note with a funny or cute story of one of the animals while they were gone.

It won’t take long for you to have a loyal following and they may have to book you way in advance, especially on holidays. You could even ask for bookings in advance for your favorites.

Record time at each farm so you know how many you can do in a day. Don’t forget travel time and mileage.

Don’t be too cheap. You have fuel costs, wear and tear on vehicle plus a hourly rate. Have a daily rate and weekly rate.

I think you could do well with this.

 

[messybun]

I had Chris come over several times to feed, the last trial run was without me. Main concern was that the dogs weren’t aggressive towards him. They love him!

So if you want to set your mind at ease, and that of the farm owners, offer to make a free trip, letting the owners instruct you. I think any farm owners would like that consideration.

Write down names of animals and take their pictures. Make a page for them, what they eat, how often, any medications, personality quirks. Let owners know this because you want repeat business and they can give you any changes over the phone without you having to go there each time . If you have many customers, you won’t be able to remember all the animals, names and needs. You can use a loose leaf ring binder with dividers or individual brad folders with farm name on front. Put address, their names, phone numbers, emergency numbers, their vet, etc. This will make you look professional, with the care of their animals important to you.

Send a thank you note with a funny or cute story of one of the animals while they were gone.

It won’t take long for you to have a loyal following and they may have to book you way in advance, especially on holidays. You could even ask for bookings in advance for your favorites.

Record time at each farm so you know how many you can do in a day. Don’t forget travel time and mileage.

Don’t be too cheap. You have fuel costs, wear and tear on vehicle plus a hourly rate. Have a daily rate and weekly rate.

I think you could do well with this.

That’s a lot of really great ideas. Thank you so much.