Resource access in lit coop

[5.3acredream]

Hi all,

I recently added a light to my coop after giving my girls a two and a half month rest and am ramping up the lighting in the morning 30 minutes a week.

However, it strikes me that their food and water is outside their coop. The girls and roo obviously don't exit the coop until it is true daylight. So they are awake for approximately 2 hours without food or water. It will become 3 hours. Problem or okay?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They may be mad about no food or water the first 2 hours but it will still work for stimulating production.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have feed and water in my coops, but I also put outside fixtures on my coops.

My chickens go right to feed and water as soon as I turn on the lights.

Myself I wouldn't turn on lights without feed and water available. I would add lights outside for them. GC

 

[rosemarythyme]

Honestly they don't need it right after waking up (mine get let out at the same time whether winter or summer, so in summer they're locked in for a few hours extra daylight) but if there's light on they'll want to eat and drink, so if you can provide access to it (either by letting them out early or giving them a source inside), they'd sure be happier.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have water in the coop. No food unless temps under 20F at night as we don’t want to attract rodents or any other undesirables. Ours also have a light on early morning until we let them out 2-3 hours later.

 

[aart]

IMO....If they have light, they should have feed and water.