Feeding late at night instead of early morning?

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Going to roost with a full crop really helps birds make it through cold nights, because it takes energy to produce heat.

Which is why I give them corn/scratch right before they go to roost. They have free range all day, plus the feed I give them in the mornings, then the feed in the evenings. They are very full when they go to roost

 

[Chris09]

My chickens (layers and breeders) have feed there 24/7 and all our other animals are on 2 a day feedings.

Chris

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If you're feeding free-choice then it doesn't matter when you fill the feeders and waterers so long as they can get at it when they want it.

.....Alan.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Hey!

I saw your name and thought I was on another forum! LOL

 

[LynneP]

Do you have a hopper feeder and large waterer? As others have said most of us provide feed/water 24/7- just a matter of having it available, especially for layers who are in great need of calories in the morning.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
I'm a tumbleweed. Never know where I might blow through.

.....Alan.

 

[Tala]

Food is out 24/7 here, but I always do my refilling after dark.

This was started because the feed was in the run of my chicken tractor, so it was much easier to have it opened up while the birds were roosting. It's just convenient for me. My birds free range in the whole back yard now so it doesn't matter much, but we didn't used to have a secure fence for them.

 

[redstars]

I feed when I get home from work around 4pm And then top off the feed after they are on the roost.
It seems every time I try to feed in the morning before work I find eggs in the run. Kinda like they don't want to miss out on food so they leave the nesting box.

 

[gritsar]

Food and water available in the coop 24/7. Extra waterers and treats fed outside.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I have a waterer and feeder of Layena that's inside the coop---they can get it 24/7.

I have treat cages and a waterer in the run and I feed treats thru out the day...

As long as your girls can get to it, it doesn't matter when you fill it up==but I would not leave food in the run --it would just 'draw' wild/stray animals and predators..