feeder-indoors or outdoors?

[grammygail]

We're preparing to move our 12- 5week old chicks outside pretty soon.
So I have this great feeder, but can't quite figure out where to best put
in. I thought it would be outside-but it would get rained on at times.
But if there supposedly only in their coop at night and don't eat then,
I shouldn't put it in there at night. All rather confusing!?
What do most of you all do??
I'm in Indiana
Thanks!

 

[Hippie Chickie]

I keep my feeder in the coop and alow them acess to it during the day. They do spend most of the day outside eating yummy bugs though. I live in the north wet so it is best for me to have it inside. I also have a pretty large coop though. If you have a raised coop where the run includes space under the coop you could put it there. Really it's up to you. try it out both ways and see how your girls like it.

 

[RM44]

Mine is in the coop to protect against rain. I have a fenced covered run (my chickens don't free range at all), and they have access through the pop door all day long. I have 1 waterer outside and one in the coop.

If you put it inside, be sure not to feed more than they can eat in one day. I don't want extra food in my coop at night as it might attract rats and mice. I fill it in the morning with enough food for them to consume during the day, and monitor it to make sure it all gets eaten. If they eat more than usual, I supplement with scratch, table scraps and BOSS outside in the run.

 

[BarredBuff]

Quote:
Before I let my chickens out on free range I fed them in the run then the feed got moldy, but I now feed in the house because its dry and they arent in the run anymore.

 

[Akane]

If they don't have access to the coop during the day you won't get eggs. They go in at random times to lay eggs and will eat feed then. Even my free rangers usually show back up around 3 pm to stop by the coop before wandering off again. Whether you keep feed in your coop is your choice. If it's in the coop it won't be exposed to the weather and moldy feed can make dead chickens. If it's outside it won't attract rodents to the coop but you will need a more weather proof feeder than the average open topped ones sold in most feed stores. I've got some rats right now that have been chewing holes in the coop and getting in to the feed which is also potentially hazardous to chicken health.

 

[grammygail]

Ok-thanks so much! Mine will have quite a large fenced in area to free-range
and then I can leave the coop open all day. I thought that 90% of their intake
should be their rations and if they were out all day-they might not come in to
eat. The area will be well-fenced with electric wires on the outside.
Planning to string ropes with colorful flags across the top to discourage
hawks, etc. Too big a run to cover. I'll be a wreck for those first
weeks out there!
Thanks again!

 

[elf]

I've started taking my feeder up at night and putting it in a covered garbage can, then putting it out next day. This was after finding a possum chowing down at the feeder. Skunks and coons also come around at night looking for leftover cat and chicken feed. I leave the feeder out near their water where they freerange, but under my carport if there's rain coming, as they go there anyway. I only put out a little at a time if rain's a possibility. So if it rains and gets wet, I dump it in a bowl and they gobble up the porridge immediately.