What to put on a farm sitter sheet
A good sheet answers the questions your sitter would otherwise text you about. Six things cover almost every farm.
Who to call
Your number, a backup person nearby, your vet and an after-hours vet. Tell your vet the dates you're away and who's looking after the animals.
Each animal's feed and water
What they eat and how much, in scoops or flakes your sitter can see. Note any medicines, and the animal that always tries to escape.
Morning and evening jobs
In the order you do them: let out, feed, water, collect eggs, milk, shut in. Times help too, like "close the coop at dusk".
Where things are
Feed, hay, bedding, the first-aid kit, spare keys, the water shut-off and a torch. Label the bins so there's no guessing.
When to call
An animal that isn't eating or drinking, is bleeding, limping or breathing hard, is missing, or a predator got in. Sitters often wait too long to call; this gives them permission.
A daily check-off
A box to tick each morning and evening, and a line for notes. You come home knowing what happened, and your sitter knows nothing was missed.