Food and Water

[Rich Marshall]

Thanks for all the info, what about rain will they venture out in that?

 

[ozark hen]

mine go out if it is raining lightly..some of them..if it is storming they stay under a shelter if outside or stay inside the coop. Honestly, outside of the youngsters..they decide if it is ok to go outside or not. I have one timid little silkie (lowest in the pecking order from what I can see) stays inside most of the time. I try to hold it a lot since it seems to be the "outsider) I leave the chickens to make their own decision as to whether to go outside or not. Some see snow and freak out lol but most will stay in the shelter and look at it. Some brave souls just totter right out in it if the sun is out.
Let them teach you

 

[jtbrown]

Welcome

. Glad you are here

. Nice advice you've been given! Good luck!

 

[P-Funk]

Wow. Interesting ideas. Rich, my girls are spoiled rotten and would NEVER go W/O food or H2O EVER. Even while free ranging. That may be why they follow me everywhere. Welcome to BYC

 

[Desert Rooster]

Hello

and welcome to BYC

from Hesperia, Ca

 

[Judy]

Many people give them outdoor access 24/7, particularly with a secure run. Chickens go out in the rain all the time. Mine might go under a shelter during that few minutes of really hard rain but are then back out in it.

If you do take the food away at night, I hope you are an early riser, as they will be up at the crack of dawn, looking for food.