Do you leave food and water in the coop at night?

[fuzzy8]

When my ducks are older I'm debating on keeping food in water in the coop At night? I would have food and water in there run all day but when I lock them up at night I would remove the food and water to keep down on the mess? I have 4 ducks and 3 chickens that are all being raised together from day one. And info or tip would help.

 

[fourkidsandduck]

I would not worry about the food as much as the water. The ducks will be able to survive 12 hours without a meal. The water I would leave, especially with summer just around the bend. I have the privilege of not having to lock my Muscovies up a night. I do when they are little though, they are a perfect snack for a great horned owl. When they are locked up, I always leave water.

 

[TLWR]

If you are going to continue having them in the same coop, I'd skip food and water at night. The ducks still make a mess with water at night and the chickens may not be so thrilled with that setup.

 

[tmorgan46]

After 3 or 4 weeks of having to clean the coop daily, I removed both water and feed in the coop at night. This has reduced the mess in the coop significantly. I let them all stay out until it's after dark, I'm usually out with them, giving treats or just getting my own therapy. They spend between 8 to 9 hours in the coop at the most and I haven't had any trouble at all. I pulled the plug and went cold turkey on the change. One night there was feed and water and the next night there wasn't. No one complained a bit.
They're happy as clams with no formal complaints sent to management...
Your mileage may vary.

 

[lomine]

I don't offer food or water in the coop and they do fine. If you want to offer water and not worry about the ducks making a mess with it, they can learn to use the nipple waterers.

 

[fuzzy8]

Yeah I think I'm going to opt out on doing food and water and maybe just mount a nipple feeder for night. My coop is 6x7 inside and I don't want to be cleaning it every day

 

[Amiga]

This keeps the bedding from getting wet.

 

[fuzzy8]

I like that idea