Feed in yard or henhouse?

[LyndallA]

Howdy,
I bought a 10x12 hen house this year for my ladies (last year had makeshift coop that was miserable in the rain and heat). I’ll have 14 hens this year. Am wondering if I should keep feeders in the henhouse or out in their yard? We have a serious ground squirrel colony and they spend all summer raiding the hen feed, so I’m wondering what’s best: tempting squirrels to get into hen house for grain or just letting them raid (I have a dog who hunts the squirrels anytime they appear in the day time). Hope this made sense! Thanks in advance.

 

[Debbie292d]

I would opt to keep the squirrels where the dog can chase them off. The only thing is, do you have a place where it's covered so rain, snow, whatever can't ruin it?

We keep ours in the coop. The chickens free range and stop in now and then for food/water. The border collie goes in through the chicken door to check for any varments so none dare.

 

[LyndallA]

I would opt to keep the squirrels where the dog can chase them off. The only thing is, do you have a place where it's covered so rain, snow, whatever can't ruin it?

We keep ours in the coop. The chickens free range and stop in now and then for food/water. The border collie goes in through the chicken door to check for any varments so none dare.

Thank you! The reason I got the henhouse was for rain (I’m in coastal Oregon). I plan on having a covered area over coop door that would keep food out of the rain, it’s just that I’ll need to then close up the feeder every night to keep the raiders from getting into it. That’s why I’m thinking in the henhouse which has an automatic door…..but then i’m inviting the squirrels into the henhouse during day… hmmmm… very conflicted. More advice welcomed!

 

[LyndallA]

Thank you! The reason I got the henhouse was for rain (I’m in coastal Oregon). I plan on having a covered area over coop door that would keep food out of the rain, it’s just that I’ll need to then close up the feeder every night to keep the raiders from getting into it. That’s why I’m thinking in the henhouse which has an automatic door…..but then i’m inviting the squirrels into the henhouse during day… hmmmm… very conflicted. More advice welcomed!

Oh, and my dog is a bit of a wild child…not sure I’m going to let her into yard with hens. Might work…might not! But she will patrol the perimeter for sure.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I never keep food in the coop. Invites more than just squirrels in. And I always put it up at night. That totally depends on what kind of feeder you have of course. Point being I keep food and water away from the coop to keep opportunists away from the coop. The last time I had a squirrel problem I also had a feral cat that went Buffalo Bill on them so that was nice…

 

[LyndallA]

I never keep food in the coop. Invites more than just squirrels in. And I always put it up at night. That totally depends on what kind of feeder you have of course. Point being I keep food and water away from the coop to keep opportunists away from the coop. The last time I had a squirrel problem I also had a feral cat that went Buffalo Bill on them so that was nice…

Thanks for sharing your experience (sorry about the cats though!). Our other predators are big (coyote, mountain lions, and raccoons) which I keep out of the yard with electric fencing). Well, except for the weasel. That bugger can get into anything (except my henhouse at night!)

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Thanks for sharing your experience (sorry about the cats though!). Our other predators are big (coyote, mountain lions, and raccoons) which I keep out of the yard with electric fencing). Well, except for the weasel. That bugger can get into anything (except my henhouse at night!)

Oh don’t be sorry! I didn’t mean it to sound like that. We had gardens so the squirrels were very not welcome. I didn’t mind finding their little pelts around the property even if it was a bit disturbing at first lol.