Where feeder should be - pros and cons

[aart]

So if I'm understanding correctly, what you're saying is that if you have a horizontal apron and let the grass grow through it, predators will view the run wall as the obstacle and try to dig at that point?

Exactly!

 

[3KillerBs]

So if I'm understanding correctly, what you're saying is that if you have a horizontal apron and let the grass grow through it, predators will view the run wall as the obstacle and try to dig at that point?

Yes.

Their instincts tell them to dig next to the barrier that they can see.

 

[quark]

I built a mobile coop on top of a garden wagon. sort of like a chickshaw, only I didn't have to build the floor and mess with putting on wheels and axels. I strapped a couple of PVC pipe feeder/waterers to the wall so that the pipes are on the outside for easy filling, but the feed/drink port sticks through the wall and the chickens access water and feed from inside the coop. they only spend time in the coop to sleep, eat commercial feed, drink, and lay eggs. the rest of the time, they're out free ranging. when the weather's bad, they just go find a tree/porch/whatever to hide under.

 

[Devorah]

If a person has a vertical barrier then it's find to have hardscape around the coop/run -- which makes mowing and such easier.

But if a person has a horizontal wire apron it's not good to put hardscape on top of it because that defeats the purpose.

Due to severe paranoia, I have both. Still, your explanation regarding the granite barrier makes sense, so I’ll just think of another use for these huge beautiful granite stones. No need to tempt nastiness!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've heard it both ways -- that bears will eat the chickens or that bears prefer to eat the feed and the eggs.

Depends on the bear. Around here they're pretty lazy and will go for the easy meals - trash, bird feeders, etc. When my in laws lived nearby they had a bear on their porch, because they stored bird feed and peanuts there, so they had to stop feeding birds at certain times of the year so the bear wouldn't have reason to hang around.

 

[MSWingate]

We keep our feeders in the run. The only time I have put a feeder in the coop is during weather so severe that the chickens don't leave the coop. Our run is predator proof, so we don't worry about them. To keep mice out of the food, we remove our feeders at night and store them in a large sealed plastic tote on the back porch. So far, the mice haven't found a way in the tote

Hello RubeliteRose, Can you tell me what kind of feeder you use?

 

[RubelliteRose]

Hello RubeliteRose, Can you tell me what kind of feeder you use?

Hi I have 14 chickens and use 2 five gallon bucket feeders and one Harris Farm hanging feeder. Both styles have minimal food waste. The chickens prefer the Harris Farm feeder, but it needs protection from the rain so we use the bucket feeders in the less covered side of the run.

 

[EvolveInNature]

Hi everyone! I have read many posts about feeders as I embark on my chick journey (still waiting for their arrival this month!). Planning the coop and run phase of their lives, I am interested in what folks have to say about where the feeder should be — inside the coop or in the run.

While the consensus seems to be in the run (many saying never put food in the coop), I’m curious as to why since — to me — keeping food in the run would seem to attract predators. Thoughts?

This leads me to my second question: if the feeder is best kept in the run, which type of feeder is best to protect against the invasion of little critters? I have read that the feeders that have deep openings prevent feed waste. But can’t rodents jump inside and feast away?

Thank you so much for your feedback - it’s greatly appreciated!

I am also curious, I just got my chicks 2 weeks ago, so this is the first I’ve heard of no feed in the coop, have you got an answer yet as to why not? Maybe I am over feeding my chicks, should I take the feed out at night? Great thread, but now I am confused and have so many more questions. Lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

I am also curious, I just got my chicks 2 weeks ago, so this is the first I’ve heard of no feed in the coop, have you got an answer yet as to why not? Maybe I am over feeding my chicks, should I take the feed out at night? Great thread, but now I am confused and have so many more questions. Lol

You can have food in the coop. Put it where it makes sense in your set up. I have feed in the coop and feed in the run, but I remove all feed at night to discourage rodents from coming in.

 

[Devorah]

You can have food in the coop. Put it where it makes sense in your set up. I have feed in the coop and feed in the run, but I remove all feed at night to discourage rodents from coming in.

When you say you remove all feed at night does that include food in the run?