Food & Water at night

[whitne17]

I have read numerous posts on this and I am trying to determine a true consensus. Do the chickens need their food and water in the coop with them at night?

I don't put them in until dusk and I let them out as soon as the sun comes up. My coop is on the smaller side and until we build a bigger one I am trying to eliminate too much mess. I also can't fit the big water feeder in there at night without spilling it. I'm just trying to decide the best approach.

I have 6 Red Sex-Links and 2 Silkies.

 

[cavemanrich]

The chickens sleep when it is dark. When you let them out in the morning, they can get their drink of water with no hassle. I do not have water or food in my coop, The water and food is out in the run area. Have not had any complaints from the girls whatsoever,,,,

And also

 

[whitne17]

Thank you!!

That is the conclusion I had been arriving at but then I see people getting very upset saying that they need it at night.

 

[TerryPy]

I agree they don't need it (I don't); however that said do you have someone that can let them out should you be taken to the hospital or have to leave due to an emergency? Doesn't mean I'll put water in the coop, but it does make you realize that if you have animals you have to have backup.

 

[cochinkeeper]

I had no idea , this will defanately keeps the coops cleaner! I've had an issue recently with my 2 leghorns , they have had a nice coop their whole lives but all of the sudden , they have decided to take up shop in the newer smaller coop that he built for our new sebrights. They are still a few weeks away from moving into it . I picked them both up after seeing them go in last night , but when turning my back to check the water they went right back to the small coop. I'm at a loss , they even prefer laying in the smaller coops next box all of the sudden

 

[cavemanrich]

I had no idea , this will defanately keeps the coops cleaner! I've had an issue recently with my 2 leghorns , they have had a nice coop their whole lives but all of the sudden , they have decided to take up shop in the newer smaller coop that he built for our new sebrights. They are still a few weeks away from moving into it . I picked them both up after seeing them go in last night , but when turning my back to check the water they went right back to the small coop. I'm at a loss , they even prefer laying in the smaller coops next box all of the sudden

Maybe new coop more appealing.... Chickens do like a cozy place to go lay their eggs... It is the same as when people go to cozy places to do their private matters.

 

[cochinkeeper]

I never really thought of that haha , i spent the afternoon cleaning , checking it over making sure no mice or anything ,secure roosts. Nothing out of the ordinary. My daughter and I agree if queen Victoria and queen Mary like it they can have it . At least now the other coop is all clean and fresh for the sebrights when they are ready

 

[cavemanrich]

I never really thought of that haha , i spent the afternoon cleaning , checking it over making sure no mice or anything ,secure roosts. Nothing out of the ordinary. My daughter and I agree if queen Victoria and queen Mary like it they can have it . At least now the other coop is all clean and fresh for the sebrights when they are ready

Your leghorns and seabrites should get along fine. In the past I have had both varieties together. All was in harmony in my case anyways.. Love those seabrites... They are not vicious to other chickens and they carry their own.. Had a golden and silver.. The golden lived 8 years and the silver lived 13. Miss them for sure when attached soo long.

.. They are in my pictures.

 

[cochinkeeper]

I hope so , they are thick as thieves these 2 , and I have heard so many good things about sebrights , but I had no idea they lived that long! So sorry for your loss , that's a long time to get attached to something. I let all my ladies free range , but they have a large run and a barn . I'm a little worried about the sebrights free ranging but I read they are fast and food flyers so hopefully I will have mine as long as you did they sure are cute

 

[pdirt]

I agree they don't need it (I don't); however that said do you have someone that can let them out should you be taken to the hospital or have to leave due to an emergency? Doesn't mean I'll put water in the coop, but it does make you realize that if you have animals you have to have backup.

A very good point. One option is to build a run that is nearly as predator-proof as the coop and just leave the door open on the coop all the time. This is what we did in our previous location and it worked great. They can eat and drink at first light if they want to (and I can be sleeping!). You would only want to do this, like I said, if your run was solidly built...1/2" hardware mesh, solid 2x4's, mesh extended into the ground to discourage critter digging, etc.

By "nearly as predator-proof" what I mean is that a bear could likely not get into the coop, but a big one could swipe through hardware cloth. But I have yet to hear of a bear bothering chickens. It's usually racoons, fox, coyotes, dogs, weasels, etc. None of them could easily get through hardware cloth.