Do chicks need access to food at night?

[JayJo]

I had my chicks outside in the coop for the first time last night and they seemed to do okay. They were happy this morning.

One thing I wasn't sure about - do they need access to food at night? In the long run I'd like the food and water to stay downstairs in the run and the "bed" and brooder boxes upstairs in the coop. But I don't know what to do now when they're still little. I had water in with them last night but left the food downstairs and they seem pretty hungry this morning.

Here's a photo of my setup. Last night the human access door shown in the photo (the ladder is there temporarily) was closed and the chicken access door that's just to the left of the photo is boarded up until they know how to get back to the heater at night.

 

[chiques chicks]

No, they do not need food at night. Removing the food at night will also help deter rodents coming in at night to eat it. Removing it is good practice.

 

[JayJo]

Thanks!