Feeding ?

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Ro-Ro

Ro-Ro

Chirping
Dec 7, 2015
120
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Florida
Do you let your chicken feed out all day or do you take it away at a certain time? I have been leaving them with food 24 hrs a day plus their water. Is this right or should I limit their food at night?
 
They won't eat at night since they can't see nor will they come off the roost unless there is a light.
But keeping feed available all waking hours is what I usually do.
Some people restrict feed but for most management purposes there really is no need.
You may want to put feed away at night to discourage rodents.
 
ChickenCanoe said:
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They won't eat at night since they can't see nor will they come off the roost unless there is a light.
But keeping feed available all waking hours is what I usually do.
Some people restrict feed but for most management purposes there really is no need.
You may want to put feed away at night to discourage rodents.
[/quote Thank you for the info. I do have a dim night light on at night. Lol
 
junebuggena said:
Chickens don't really eat at night. They have terrible night vision so they don't do much other than sleep. Food left out at night will only attract unwanted pests.
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Thxs, I didn't know they have terrible vision at night. They do have a dim night light inside the coop. I will be removing the feeder at night from now on. Don't need rodents coming around. Yuck lol
 
I agree! I used to leave feed out at night, but as mentioned above it attracts unwanted rodents. I have a mice issue right now. I put my feed away in a metal bin every night. I do the same with the water feeders. I'm trying different methods catching these nasty little critters.
 
Ro-Ro said:
Thxs, I didn't know they have terrible vision at night. They do have a dim night light inside the coop. I will be removing the feeder at night from now on. Don't need rodents coming around. Yuck lol
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They really don't need the night light either. It probably isn't a problem but a completely dark period is good for them and their psyche. If there is enough light, they may come down off the roost in the middle of the night.

browngrub said:
I agree! I used to leave feed out at night, but as mentioned above it attracts unwanted rodents. I have a mice issue right now. I put my feed away in a metal bin every night. I do the same with the water feeders. I'm trying different methods catching these nasty little critters.
Click to expand...
I love the homemade bucket trap. You can catch multiple mice in a single night.
http://fivegallonideas.com/bucket-mouse-trap/
There are many versions.

Most recommend a metal feed container for rodent prevention. I see you live in TX. If it isn't humid where you live that is a good plan. Where I live, it can get extremely hot and always with high humidity. In those conditions, metal containers can sweat and cause mold. I switched to big plastic stacking bins. Haven't had a rodent problem.
 
browngrub said:
I agree! I used to leave feed out at night, but as mentioned above it attracts unwanted rodents. I have a mice issue right now. I put my feed away in a metal bin every night. I do the same with the water feeders. I'm trying different methods catching these nasty little critters. 
Click to expand...
Thxs, I sure won't be leaving any feed out from now on.
 

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