What to do with spilled feed?

[ONSTAD1]

Thanks Rhoise,

I was thinking I would have to put food and h2o in the coop. Do you have any issues with it being outside? rain/snow? Is your run covered?

mo

 

[Rhoise]

Mo,
I give the chickens their main feed outside in the run only.......take the feeder out of the run at night, and lock it up in a metal can away from the coop(don't want to bait unwanted critters and the chickens don't eat or drink on the roost anyway).

I have an old garden/scratch patch in my yard where I put treats,oyster shells, lawn clippings and stuff out for them while they are free ranging in the afternoons till dark everyday(it's located away from the patio so they don't literally poop everywhere, and the scratch grains, grapes, trout, watermelon etc. don't make a mess in the lawn). The chickens hang there mostly also under the shade bushes, and lots of times back in their run with the door open. Heck why not? cool clean sand to flop around and dust in, fresh h20, and a feeder full of food! who needs to leave the run?

Also, yes my run is covered, if it rains real hard(sideways) the feed in the bottom of the feeder tray can get slightly damp on top. Haven't experienced snow here yet as this is my first time with chickens in Idaho.....but plan on trying the blue tarp lattice sandwich thing I saw on a really cool coop design on this web site.

I only put out what they will clean up in a day as far as feed, and refill it in the am when I let them out of the coop and into the run.

I grew up in New England in the 70's and our chickens didn't love snow but would come out in it to eat and drink, and if the sun was shining to peck around a bit. Ours never had feed 24/7 and in freezing temps we just had to water them twice a day. I didn't have acess to electricity and heated waterers for my chicks as a kid, sometimes all they got were table scraps or what they could forage on their own.

These chickens I have now are totally different, I am an adult, and they are spoiled rotten like all the kids and pets around here, almost to a point of rediculousness! We are having a blast and although my first dozen eggs are gonna cost around $1500 it's all worth it. What started as a small hobby is growing and changing....literally morphing into an adventure..... I guess if I give a few chickens a good life, and get some fresh eggs outta the deal, it'll be money enjoyed and well spent!




Oh and yes that is a rhubarb plant in the picture and they do peck at it but haven't croaked yet

 

[ONSTAD1]

Thanks, That is a lot of good information..

I'm having a blast with this project so far...in to it for $500 and worth every penny,

I think I'll put a roof in my coop when house funds allow... might use corrugated metal? Just worry about high winds. It was less tan 3 weeks ago when we had 65mph wind here in Colorado Springs.






mo