I keep the feeder full of pellets in the coop, rodent safe. I put fermented feed in the run in the morning and throw some scratch around in the afternoon.
Don't want any free loaders.
I used to keep dog food in a rubber made tub outside. Raccoons ate a hole in the corner and ate 20lbs of dog...
I have 12 chickens and an assortment of predators. Fox, resident Cooper's hawk, raccoons, coyote, etc. Here's what works for me.
A 4x8 coop that is rodent and predator proof. Hardware cloth on windows, automatic door. Maximum security for night time. I keep a PVC feeder and small water in...