Suddenly wondering if chickens eat and drink at night???

[Chris09]

chicken wont eat or drink at night..
I keep a light in the big chick brooder/shed on at night just so that they will get up and eat and drink at night.. The chicks grow alot better and faster...
( I got that trick from afue big exhibition boultry breeders)
Chris

 

[dennisnkim]

The craziest thing just happen to me.I am new to the hens I have had my 7 girls for 6 months now, I always go out to the coop as soon as possible ,as it gets dark I go in coop make a head count then pet each one and talk to them. I have 2 that are always a little fussy and it is so warming lol,,, The others get their pet and doesn't bother them as much, but tonight I came in the coop and noticed the food was a tad low. So I as always fill up at night incase I am late to let them out in morning.Well after putting the food in feeder tonight one jumped on my back then down to the food it went and a few others jumped down, So I came in to the computer to see if I hens eat at night, and I saw your post and I just wanted to let you know of my experience because it was so funny










Dennis n Kim

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

Welcome to the community!

 

[Teila]

Because we have low predator risk and my gals’ run is secure, I do not close the coop door at night. I leave water in the run at all times but only put out enough food for the day … good thing I am an early riser because as my signature says “There is no snooze button on a chicken who wants breakfast”

Mental note to self: plan to move coop further away from bedroom window!

 

[Sutremaine]

good thing I am an early riser because as my signature says “There is no snooze button on a chicken who wants breakfast” 

Ours have gone 'cock-a-doo' a couple of times when there's no food for them in the morning. Between close neighbours and a closer bedroom, it's only been a couple of times. I am not a morning person and my bedroom window is nearly always open, so their food gets put out the night before with the bowl wrapped in newspaper to keep the slugs out.

The food is kept away from the coop (run is secured, so the coop can be left open), and I've never seen them show any signs of wanting to leave the coop once they settle down with their chins on their chests. What would they be doing that can't be done while there's still light?

 

[250 Rose Hill]

I have 5 hens and real time cameras in various parts of coop. If I wake up in the middle of the night they may or may not be eating and drinking. But a 5 AM before auto door opens with day light they are all eating. I must confess I have what amounts to a night light in coop. Should I get rid of the light and see what happens?

 

[GC-Raptor]

 I have 5 hens and real time cameras in various parts of coop.  If I wake up in the middle of the night they may or may not be eating and drinking.  But a 5 AM before auto door opens with day light they are all eating.  I must confess I have what amounts to a night light in coop.  Should I get rid of the light and see what happens?

I was using a night light in the coop, but have sense shut it off when I lock up at night. Because I have a dominant hen that pecks all others off the top roost. The night light is so they can see to get on the roost only, now. I try to get out there about 20 minutes after sunset. She will not have pecked them off the top roost, as yet. GC

 

[250 Rose Hill]

Thank you for the advice. I am going to get rid of the light as only the three younger birds roost and the two old hens get into nest boxes to sleep. One of the old hens raised the three young birds when the were one day old. Got them at Tractor Supply. They are laying machines and I think they are Red Stars-sex linked birds.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Thank you for the advice.  I am going to get rid of the light as only the three younger birds roost and the two old hens get into nest boxes to sleep.  One of the old hens raised the three young birds when the were one day old.  Got them at Tractor Supply. They are laying machines and I think they are Red Stars-sex linked birds.

Yes l have sex-links (golden comets). I get around 12 dozen a month from 5 pullets. GC