feed/water outside

[blueheaven]

i have a place in the coop for feed/water. however, i was thinking about moving it outside; giving the chicks more room. i live in IN - so in the winter i would have to move the water inside.

do they drink/eat at night...?

do mice get into it more if left outside in the run area??

 

[jonesgirl]

I get bunnies/ mice in my run when I don't pick up the feeder... Well they come either way, but at least if you pick the feeder up at night, they won't get into thier food!

 

[RendonRoo]

I'm still fairly new but from what i've read here the chickens don't really eat or drink at night but they say to be sure to let them out at first light. Good Luck and welcome to BYC

 

[dustysangel]

They roost /sleep in the dark as they can't see. I sprinkle their feed outside in a wide area so everyone gets to eat well. Water daily inside or out. When it is real cold here I give them water a couple times a day and leave it outside. When it is real cold you need to check for eggs frequently as they can freeze.

 

[blueheaven]

i was just going to leave a 13lb feeder and 3lb waterer hanging all the time...and hoping to refill every few days.

i did not know if that would be ok inside or left outside.

 

[pkeeler]

Don't let the feed get wet. If the outside is not mouse proof, you will get vermin. Chickens don't eat at night. Having two feeders is a good idea though, as sometimes dominant chickens prevent access to a feeder.

 

[blueheaven]

is there such a thing as mouse proof???
if so...what is it?

i enclose everything with a 1/2' x 1/2' welded wire.

can't mice squeeze through just about ANYTHING???!!!

 

[Judy]

Yup. Fortunately, chickens often eat mice....

 

[blueheaven]

good. maybe i will let them hang out in my basement!!!

 

[Horsewell]

Mice can fit through something as small as a 2cm gap. And knaw though almost everything. So nothing is mouse proof! maybe you could find a way to hang you feeder up so that it can be put higher at night and lower during the day, to stop pests.