House, chickens, cat sitter for 2 weeks late May, early June, 2026 in coastal Maine, USA

About this assignment

We need a responsible sitter who will not mind earlyish hours (hens) and living in a rustic setting in an antique house and property.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Our sitter will need to care for our 14 year old, sweet tempered cat and our flock of hens (12 at the moment, though half the flock is rather old) and, if necessary, occasionally water one raised-bed garden.

What are the good features of the property and location

We live in a small coastal town in southern Maine. There are several beaches/state parks nearby (from 2 - 8 miles). My daughter lives in an ADU on the property and would be easy back-up for problems, vet visits, questions and subbing if sitter will miss a feeding or lock-up time (hens) during the two weeks. Also, we are blessed with great neighbors!

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Our house is 250 years old; it has been upgraded a number of times so it is comfortable. But it creaks, has some low ceilings and several steps in an out of rooms (it was built in stages). Our stove is an Aga, which some people find daunting, but is really very easy to use. Obviously, the property is also old and a bit funky. We keep it moderately tidy, but it is not a manicured property; we like it a bit wild. The hens live in a rustic (home made) coop with an attached run. There is a storage shed nearby with grains/hay, but it is not a prettified coop area. The hens need to be confined due to predators. There is a hose for fresh water near the hen run. Finally, we do not have a lock on our back door. We seldom use the front door so that is usually locked. You can lock the doors at night from the inside, but we don’t really have any keys for the outer back doors. We have lived here more than 30 years and never had a problem, but I realize this might be a concern for some people. We also keep bees and have an EpiPen on hand.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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