How much should I charge for farm sitting?

[fd4517]

I want to start a farm sitting business but I’m unsure of how to charge. Should it be a case by case custom quote (if so, how?) or a base fee plus mileage (say $50 flat plus 10 cents a mile?) or what do you all recommend?
I have extensive experience with dogs and cats and 6 years of experience with my few chickens but I’m new to horses, livestock, etc. I plan to launch in October and read and watch everything I can between now and then to gain more knowledge. I still have to decide on a name, get insurance and so on but I’d like to go ahead and work up a price sheet.

Thanks!

[Zu_Zu]

Best to discuss all this with a farm sitter who has been in the business for years …and perhaps work for the sitter / apprenticeship ”¢

just saying I would not hire a farm sitter who did not have experience with horses Ӣ

• equine references required

Good Luck with your new business.

[scrbear11]

IMHO - if you have no experience with horses are livestock, you’re going to have a hard time finding gigs. I know I wouldn’t hire someone to farm sit without extensive horse experience. Stick to small animal pet sitting and house sitting.

[fd4517]

@scrbear11

IMHO - if you have no experience with horses are livestock, you’re going to have a hard time finding gigs. I know I wouldn’t hire someone to farm sit without extensive horse experience. Stick to small animal pet sitting and house sitting.

What about small animal sitting? Dogs, cats, chickens, goats, pigs?

[erinmeri]

@fd4517

What about small animal sitting? Dogs, cats, chickens, goats, pigs?

I don’t know about chickens or pigs, but for dogs and cats it depends on your location, your experience and what you are able to provide. Are you staying overnight? If not, how many times a day would you go by? Do you know how to identify a sick pet? Are you capable of dealing with sick or injured pets (monitoring, medicating, etc)?

I live in a very high-cost area, and for dog/cat I pay about $75 (I think) for regular sitting (stay overnight), and $100 for a vet tech (also overnight). Some people charge extra for multiple pets and others don’t. I would never pay for someone to travel to me, and I really would strongly prefer someone to stay vs visit.

I wouldn’t hire a pet sitter without references, so if you haven’t pet sat before, I would start by doing some gigs for people you know, and building up references that way. I would also see if your veterinarian would be willing to be a reference.

While I have always full boarded, I agree that I wouldn’t let anyone take care of my horses (if I currently had them and kept them at home) who didn’t have years under the belt.

Hope that helps!

[cannoli2425]

I agree with one of the other posters, it will be hard to find work without the experience. I think you should do price quote by quote. I know some farms have strict feeding schedules which requires you to adjust schedule to that. Others may just give you a window when you can show up.

I don’t really see a point to do the mileage thing. Just add some extra money onto your base rate. 10 cents a mile is nothing anyway. If you think about it if you were to drive 50 miles it would only be a extra 5.00. Just add that on.

I am pretty new to the equine world. I read all day long about horses, but without the hands on experience, your learning curve will be short.

[Simkie]

Without a location, this is a “how long is a piece of string” question. Even with it, it’s tough to answer because the job can be so different farm to farm. Asking on your local pet Facebook group might give you more relevant answers, or just do a search there.

Add me to the list who would absolutely not consider using anyone without equine experience. They are unique animals that can be stubbornly suicidal and even the best animal can have a bad day and be challenging to handle. It’s hard enough to leave…but impossible unless the sitter knows what a colic and founder look like, how best to handle something ugly like a horse trying to rip a leg off, or what to do if a horse gets loose and doesn’t want to be caught. So much can go wrong. They can also HURT YOU, badly. If you’re interested in getting some horse experience so you can farm sit, working at a boarding barn doing stalls and such could be a good way to learn.

[fd4517]

@Simkie

Without a location, this is a “how long is a piece of string” question. Even with it, it’s tough to answer because the job can be so different farm to farm. Asking on your local pet Facebook group might give you more relevant answers, or just do a search there.

Add me to the list who would absolutely not consider using anyone without equine experience. They are unique animals that can be stubbornly suicidal and even the best animal can have a bad day and be challenging to handle. It’s hard enough to leave…but impossible unless the sitter knows what a colic and founder look like, how best to handle something ugly like a horse trying to rip a leg off, or what to do if a horse gets loose and doesn’t want to be caught. So much can go wrong. They can also HURT YOU, badly. If you’re interested in getting some horse experience so you can farm sit, working at a boarding barn doing stalls and such could be a good way to learn.

It looks like I need to only advertise sitting services for pets, chickens and other small farm animals like goats, pigs, ducks, etc until I can gain experience with horses and cows. Will I be cutting myself off from a lot of potential clients by only focusing on smaller animals? I live in Alabama btw.

[Simkie]

@fd4517

It looks like I need to only advertise sitting services for pets, chickens and other small farm animals like goats, pigs, ducks, etc until I can gain experience with horses and cows. Will I be cutting myself off from a lot of potential clients by only focusing on smaller animals? I live in Alabama btw.

That seems wise. And tough to tell–just how many people have large livestock in your area? If you’re fairly suburban, limiting your business to small animals might make sense long term, as it can be easy to fill a book of business with those clients, and the work is generally easier than with large animals.

[fd4517]

@Simkie

That seems wise. And tough to tell–just how many people have large livestock in your area? If you’re fairly suburban, limiting your business to small animals might make sense long term, as it can be easy to fill a book of business with those clients, and the work is generally easier than with large animals.

I’m not sure about my area as far as livestock. I know I see them everywhere, including right down the road (a neighbor I don’t know has cows and horses). My area is very rural but does have subdivisions scattered here and there and a lot of clumps of neighborhoods. Maybe only advertising for small animals won’t prevent me from building a business. Also, can I get feedback on the pricing structure I’m considering?

• $30/day up to 24 animals
• $45/day for 24-40 animals
• $60/day for 40+ animals

Each price would be all inclusive as far as what work needs to be done. If they require me to stay over, I plan to charge $80/night. Thoughts?

[Simkie]

@fd4517

Also, can I get feedback on the pricing structure I’m considering?

• $30/day up to 24 animals
• $45/day for 24-40 animals
• $60/day for 40+ animals

Each price would be all inclusive as far as what work needs to be done. If they require me to stay over, I plan to charge $80/night. Thoughts?

Is this how other sitters in the area structure their pricing, and in the same ballpark as what they charge?

You might want to consider basing your rates on a combo of number of visits required per day, tasks needed, and number of animals.

Stopping in once a day to check on three kitties who free feed dry food and just need their box cleaned is a LOT different than visiting four times a day for three young dogs that all need walks, feeding, and playtime. Those two clients probably should not be paying the same rate.

[fd4517]

@Simkie

Is this how other sitters in the area structure their pricing, and in the same ballpark as what they charge?

You might want to consider basing your rates on a combo of number of visits required per day, tasks needed, and number of animals.

Stopping in once a day to check on three kitties who free feed dry food and just need their box cleaned is a LOT different than visiting four times a day for three young dogs that all need walks, feeding, and playtime. Those two clients probably should not be paying the same rate.

That’s a very good point. The dog client would absolutely need to pay more than the one with kittens. Back to square one. But I am thankful you pointed that out. I guess I need to create a price sheet based on every scenario I can think of; number of animals, number of visits, work to be done like you said and have it memorized so I can easily quote a potential. As far as comparing to others in my area, I don’t think there is anyone else. At least no one pulls up on Google but maybe they do it through word of mouth? I’m hoping there’s a market for my services in my area and I can build a full time, successful business.

[Redlei44]

I’m in a somewhat high COL area, but our cat sitter charges us $15/visit to do the daily basics - food, water, litter. If she spends more than 10 min at the house per visit, I’d be shocked. (Worth every penny, though!). She also offers additional services like playtime/petting for additional cost.

[candyappy]

@fd4517

What about small animal sitting? Dogs, cats, chickens, goats, pigs?

If you don’t have actual experience in caring for goats , chickens, cows and pigs I wouldn’t do those either( i have all those animals too).

Farm sitting and caring for peoples pets and livestock is a huge responsibility. To be in business I would expect any farm sitter I used to be proficient in handling (caring for) all the animals I entrust into their care. Knowing when a particular animal is " off " is extremely important.

Probably why I don’t get away.

You might be better off staying with dogs, cats , birds etc… Not include any livestock until you can somehow get experience.

[clanter]

my daughter who is a vet tech and high school teacher is in demand for dog setting…we have even considered this since her client base is expanding… the pay?

She has one client who "oh I will pay you what it would cost board my darling pooches "… take care my three dogs for seven days; $1,500

and I thought horse people were crazy

[Bluey]

@fd4517

I want to start a farm sitting business but I’m unsure of how to charge. Should it be a case by case custom quote (if so, how?) or a base fee plus mileage (say $50 flat plus 10 cents a mile?) or what do you all recommend?
I have extensive experience with dogs and cats and 6 years of experience with my few chickens but I’m new to horses, livestock, etc. I plan to launch in October and read and watch everything I can between now and then to gain more knowledge. I still have to decide on a name, get insurance and so on but I’d like to go ahead and work up a price sheet.

Thanks!

You may consider checking with local vet clinics and see if they need an aide.
There you will mostly clean cages and stalls if they have large animals and do routine stuff.
You will also get to watch and help with the care of the animals and get to know owners that may just. become your clients.

That would give you the advantage of really knowing more about animals and so being able to do a better job of babysitting them later, as you then start that business with the real expertise it will require on how to handle and care for those animals best.

[wsmoak]

Very glad you mentioned insurance in your first post! I am actually training a farm sitter who doesn’t really have horse experience because she is the only one I could find who had at least fed an equine before (donkey) and who is insured!

I only have one old retired horse here, so it’s different than if she had to actually handle any horses. I just need her to make sure he is right side up, throw hay and soak his pellets. If anything seems wrong there are neighbors with horses that she can summon to evaluate the situation.

As far as costs, I’m in rural Georgia so probably similar and paying $45/visit for the horse, dog, cats and two sets of chickens. She’s here for an hour or less twice a day.

Your charges should be dependent on the number of tasks and time, plus mileage. Don’t under price yourself! For farm owners, being able to leave and not worry (much) is nearly priceless.

[xeroxchick]

We pay 60$ a night to stay in our house, look after two dogs (fenced back yard, so no walking) and feeding four horses twice a day, no mucking. Horses go right into stalls that open onto pasture, so no leading from paddocks or pasture needed. Horses stay in if there is bad weather, but we generally have someone who mucks out for us. The only glitch I’ve had is their surprise that we don’t have a microwave. The good ones wash and change the sheets on the guest bed where they stayed, bless them.

Have to add that my step daughter was dog sitting for an older dachshund in Atlanta (Buckhead area) and was payed 100$ a night plus she had to go and get roasted chicken or turkey from the OK Cafe every night for that dog!

[littlebaypony]

I housesit in north Alabama. I have many years of experience with dogs and horses and some experience with cats. I charge $10/critter/day with a $25/day minimum. I stay at the house, do whatever barn chores and critter care they request. On the last day I wash all sheets and towels I used and put them back, wash the dishes I used and put them away as best I can and, at
most housed, run the vacuum. Nobody wants to come home to cleaning chores. I do count all cats as one critter and flocks of chickens as one critter.
At my place I have 4 dogs, 4 cats, 4 horses, 1 turtle and a flock of about 35 chickens; I’d charge myself for 10 critters so $100/day. Because I leave things very clean and I’ve done things like take a sick dog to the vet, medicate him and clean up all his puke and when the fridge at a house broke I took everything to my house and kept it refrigerated until they got their’s working I get tips, sometimes almost double my fee.
When I hire a housesitter I always leave names and numbers for friends and neighbors just in case there’s a question or problem and I also ask a friend to stop by at least once to make sure everything is ok and the stock tanks are full.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Lots of good suggestions here. I know it is temping to try to price things out. But in service businesses like pet or farm sitting is really going to depend on what sorts of pets and how many you are caring for. Do pick a “minimum” charge for one visit a day - regardless of how many pets. Say your minimum charge is $10 - so you might say on your web site or wherever you advertise, “price is determined by number of visits per day and number of animals cared for, with a daily minimum of $10”. That way folks know the absolute minimum cost, and you will avoid getting requests to come feed their entire menagerie for nothing.

You should also pick a range of miles from your home base that you are willing to travel. Like “My service area includes 35 miles from Applejack city. Additional fee applies to clients that are beyond that.” or “quoted price includes 45 minutes travel time one-way - addition fee applies for every 15 additional minutes”. Or something like that. After all, you wouldn’t want someone to call from three counties away and expect to pay $10 a day to come feed their one cat.

Figure out the average gas mileage of your vehicle, then using current gas prices, figure what it costs per mile. Then figure it out based on gas being 50 cents more expensive per gallon. Then average the two. Whatever that cost is needs to be built into your minimum price structure. Because you’ve at minimum got to recuperate your gas money. Using my lovely 20 yr old Suburban that gets 13 miles to the gallon max (on the interstate!) as an example - if I serviced a 25 mile radius, then at $10 minimum, I’d not break even for that 25 mile trip one way, because the gas alone would cost me $10 to drive 50 miles. Hopefully, you aren’t driving a 20 year old Suburban!

Get some jobs now pet sitting before you launch. Do it for free (or perhaps just for gas money). Then have them write you a reference that you can put on your website. Or if you have already pet sitted (sat?) for friends or family, have them write you a reference.

I would also recommend contacting your future competition and getting price quotes. Pretend you are going out of town and are looking at pet sitting options, vs keeping your pets at a kennel. Good way to find out exactly what others charge.

I had a pet sitter last November to take care of feeding, putting out hay and picking poop in my 2 run-in sheds and just making sure everyone was OK for our three horses (once a day). My mother stayed at our house and took care of our cats and dogs, and fed the horses in the AM. The sitter came in the PM. She charged $25 a day, which I didn’t feel was enough. So I tipped her $100 on top of her fee (our vacation was 10 days, so basically $10 day).

Good luck with your venture!