Prepare contingency plans
Off-grid animals depend on your power, water and feed systems. Plan for failures before they happen.
How
- List what fails if power stops: water pumps, fans, aerators, heaters, electric fences. Welfare codes expect back-up where welfare depends on powered ventilation (UK example).
- Keep stored drinking water for animals for several days and a manual way to deliver it.
- Keep stored feed beyond the next delivery date, and a heat-wave plan with shade, cool water and changed feeding times.
- Plan for fire, flood and disease movement restrictions: where animals go, who helps, and how you will feed them if you cannot leave.
- Keep the vet and back-up carer numbers posted in the barn.
Do these first
Sources
- Code of practice for the welfare of laying hens and pullets. UK Government (Defra), GOV.UK, accessed 2026-11
- Managing backyard chickens during periods of extreme summer temperature. Poultry Extension (extension.org), accessed 2026-11