Feeding other food

[BLUEYMOM]

I've heard so many saying they feed their chickens just about everything. My question is I'm afraid to leave it in the run at night while they are locked up for fear of attracting rodent's and vermin. I give my chickens a few hours to eat treats and wind up scooping it up. I've stopped trying to give them any extra goodies for a couple days. Suggestions welcome.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. I don't give my flock anything extra but seeds, produce and bugs/worms. The only thing I limit is fruit; I'll usually toss it out with greens but not much. I've not had greens, bugs or seeds attract vermin.

 

[Folly's place]

They should be eating their main diet mostly, and treats are just that, small amounts of stuff that they eat in a short time.
It's about impossible to remove all spilled feed from the coop every night, so whatever is out there, and your chickens, will attract every critter who wants a chicken dinner anyway. Having a predator proof coop is essential!
When I quit feeding extras, or any food, outside of their safe coop and run, we had fewer night time visitors, definitely. Ever item they are fed is inside here!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Store your chicken feed in the original bag inside metal garbage cans with lids, to keep out rodents. Mice are about impossible to avoid, it's keeping ahead of them. The chickens will kill and eat mice during the day, but not at night. Having a cat who likes to catch mice does really help.
Mary

 

[BLUEYMOM]

They should be eating their main diet mostly, and treats are just that, small amounts of stuff that they eat in a short time.
It's about impossible to remove all spilled feed from the coop every night, so whatever is out there, and your chickens, will attract every critter who wants a chicken dinner anyway. Having a predator proof coop is essential!
When I quit feeding extras, or any food, outside of their safe coop and run, we had fewer night time visitors, definitely. Ever item they are fed is inside here!
Mary

I've got a dog kennel 10'x 6' around the entire coop and a predator apron around the kennel. Also netting and a tarp over the top. Thanks for your input. Doing my best to keep them safe.

 

[BLUEYMOM]

Store your chicken feed in the original bag inside metal garbage cans with lids, to keep out rodents. Mice are about impossible to avoid, it's keeping ahead of them. The chickens will kill and eat mice during the day, but not at night. Having a cat who likes to catch mice does really help.
Mary

Their feed and grit are kept inside the house in huge plastic containers where I keep my wild bird seed also. Did have a cat for 10 years who was mean as the devil but scared of her own shadow and wouldn't go outside for more than 10 minutes

 

[Folly's place]

We have a 'barn cat' who does good work with mouse patrol, and our house cats would love to participate, but they are inside, and overjoyed if a mouse shows up!
Mary