[Fredjones]

Hi All, i have read recently that you don`t put food in the coop at night, is this right or miss information------Fred

[Vember]

I don't Fred purely because it attracts rats 
Also they don't eat whilst they're asleep


Sarah

[poultrygeist]

Hi Fred.

Most people don't bother putting food in there unless there's nowhere else suitable for it.

The chickens go in there to lay eggs or sleep. At night, they won't eat.

Ideally, you want to go for a hanging feeder inside a shelter of some sort or, if you can, under a raised coop.
The alternative is to have it inside a covered run or with a 'rain hat' outside. You should also monitor it for vermin raids.

ROb

[grumpydad]

our food is hung up in a covered run, nothing inside the coop, they only go in there at night, and to lay, apart from that they are outside
feeder has a large hat on as well, raised up at night on a chain

[Fredjones]

Thanks everyone-------Fred

[Foxy]

and I'm a bit different mine feeders all hang up inside the houses!

[redmolly]

Hmmm....my feeders are in the large house (shed) with them. Only for convenience really and also to ensure it is kept dry. They don't eat at night and so far no sign of rats so all good!! 

[AmandaH]

Nope, no food in the coop.  They did have their food and water in there the very first night they arrived but, after that - nada.  They just sleep in there and I let them out first thing (I have a very efficient alarm clock - a three year old child!).

More scope for mess in the house, I reckon...

[Sid]

I don't leave food in coop at night,as said before it attacts rats.

[Alby]

I do mine back to front from most people and give them thier main feed in the coupe at night , because of the rat problem   As the coupe is open all day I found that the rats were helping themselves to huge amount of the food, as I battled with the rat problem the only time the food was safe was after I had locked the girls away at night.

      So treats when I was there with them outside and main feed at night so it would be there in the morning for them  

 Alby

[Rubellite]

I leave food in the bigger houses, all day and all night. Stops the crows during the day.
The ducks get their food taken away as their house is not big enough to share with a food bowl. No-one has water indoors, found that by the morning it was full of woodshavings and poop So I'm a bit of both  

[Flowerpower136]

No food anywhere outside at night, every scrap is brought into the utility room.  We'd have a big rat problem otherwise.
And they are sooooo pleased to see me in the morning when I take it back out again