Food/water at night

[JoyV]

Hello all.
My girls are going on 5 weeks. I am Arizona so I have had them outside during the day for the past couple days. I want to transfer them to coop full time soon. I’m confused about food and water at night. Should I leave it out how it is in the picture, or does it need to be where they roost (upper coop) area, or do I want it out of coop all together to prevent rats/etc. thank you!

 

[CoopintheWoods]

I can't tell from the picture, but if that little door to the upper coop area closes, put the food and water in there at night. If it does not, I would only put the water in at night, as food can attract predators. Good luck with your flock!

 

[JoyV]

It does not close. I feel like they will just poop in their water if it’s in the upper coop area

 

[CoopintheWoods]

Gotcha. If it's hot, I would recommend giving them the water, and just cleaning it in the morning. If not, they will probably be fine.

 

[sylviethecochin]

It's not like they eat or drink at night. I might leave in a waterer so they can have a drink if they wake before you do, but the food would go. I don't like rats, you don't like rats, we all don't like rats (at least in the coop. I'm told domestic ones make charming pets.)

 

[aart]

Am not seeing a roost?
But don't put food or water under a roost...unless you have a poop board.

 

[Mosey2003]

They don't eat and drink at night. Unless you plan to lock them in during the day at some point, they don't need food and water in the coop. Like mentioned, at best it's of no value, at worst it may draw rats and the water could spill.

If you have the time and inclination, you could put a secure can outside the run and put the feeder in it every night after they go to bed. That would prevent rats getting into it.