[PaulineM]

Hi   
As the nights are drawing in I am noticing that it is harder to get my girls to eat their corn in the afternoon.
My 6 girls are spoilt in that they have a coop inside a stable so as its getting colder they are venturing out less and less.   
I usually lead them from the stable to the end of my garden to get their corn but this afternoon they hardly stayed out at all to eat their corn. The stable floor is thickly covered with 'all bed' think its the same as easibed. So if its very cold and they don't want to leave the stable should I give them their corn in a bowl or would it be alright to throw it on the bedding? I don't want to encourage them to eat the bedding, so what do you think? 

[ehs284]

Hi,
Suggest try to keep it in a bowl and, if possible, on a tray so that scattered food can be picked up. If there is food in the bedding you're likely to attract rats in the winter. The birds will probably not worry about a mouse, but a rat is a serious problem.

[orchardlady]

As suggested a bowl within a tray is an excellent idea. Try using a nice large tray with good deep sides, something like a potting tray, you can buy them at garden centres so they don't scratch the corn out too much. Of course empty the bowl and tray for the night and replenish the next day. Your girls sound as if they have luxury accommodation. Lucky girls.