Do they need food and/or water at night?

[flossyandprissy]

Im planning on keeping the food and water outside, shutting them in coop at night, and quite frankly my coop isnt large enough for a feeder and /or waterer (only got three chicks). Is this going to be ok? If so, how many hours can they stay in the coop? Was planning on sun down to sun up. Thanks.

 

[lazy gardener]

When your chickens go to roost at night, they will roost until dawn, then they will come off the roost expecting food and water, and begin their daily routine. If you let them out soon after sun up, they should be fine without it in their coop. However, there are some other considerations. Will you keep the feed in a location where it can't get damp? Damp feed spoils quickly, and mold is toxic to chickens, even in very small amounts. Will the feed be covered up at night so mice and rats can't get into it? Mice can fit through incredibly small holes. I'm guessing that a small mouse can even get through 1/2" hardware cloth. Both mice and rats can dig to gain entry to your run, with a rat even able to chew through concrete. If vermin have access to feed, they will move into the area, and multiply like crazy. They carry a lot of disease, and are capable of injuring your birds. A rat can kill a chicken, and may actually chew a hole in a chicken. So, if you can keep your feed dry and covered so rodents can't access it, it will be ok outside.

 

[flossyandprissy]

Thank you! I was planning on taking the feeder in at night. Any reason to take the water in too?

 

[flossyandprissy]

Actually was planning on putting feeder in bucket with lid at night. Any reason why this wont work?

 

[lazy gardener]

Either will work nicely!

 

[bella27]

I have a question,
Why would you ferment chicken feed?
What is the purpose?