[albertofrog]

Hello everyone,

New to forum (and forums in general) and thought would introduce myself (if put in wrong place I do apologise, however will tag question on end to make up for it  )
Have been studying chickens via internet and this forum for the past 12 months and finally took the plunge beginning of May. Originally bought 3 chickens. An ISA Warren (the boss of the pack) called Maisy, a Black Rock (second in charge) called Yvonne and an Amberlink called Lucy. However this has now increased as of last weekend. I am now also the proud owner of a Light Sussex called Agnes and a Pied Sussex called Cecilia. Best move ever made, they have given the wife, kids and me such pleasure already. I have this forum to thank in a way as well, it has already became my favourite and shown me what a great community poultry lovers are. Now for a question, all to do with feed.
I purchased a coop with run attached, however thought too cramped and awkward to reach into, so have removed run and built a larger enclosure (without roof) for them to run around (and for me and the kids to go in  ) Now, I always ensure the feed is kept under the coop as I read before that if it gets wet it turns sour, however also read that many people mix mash (although I am only using pellets) with water to make a paste. Do I need to keep it dry or is it OK to get it wet? Also when I lock them up at night I am putting the food and water in the coop with them, however find it all knocked over in the morning, is it OK to leave them all night without food and liquid? (I am letting them out and cleaning up early in morning just as the birds are breaking into song)
Wow that was a long hello, do not worry not used to forums so will prob not post too often (I will mainly read and take in)
Take care all, thank you in advance for answers and again....HELLO!

[mpv1961]

Welcome not been on here long myself but my girls go to bed about ten at night and the pellets and water stay outside of coop although permenantly under cover, when we open coop in morning they all seem to have a stretch then a good fill, others may do it differently.

[uba]

Hi Alberto and welcome, nice bunch here I'm new and I like it too. We just started a few weeks ago with some 2 week old chicks and its going good and really enjoying it as a family.

btw mpv1961 we share our home town hehe....snap!! i win your errm entire city, hmm that game doesn't really work that well in this case.

Nige

[joyfull]

Hello Alberto and welcome to the forum. You are best removing the feed and water every night (when they sleep they don't need either) and putting them out of the way to deter rats (rats apparently can smell food from over half a mile away  ). As they carry diseases it is also best to pick up the water. I feed my hens pellets and feed them dry - if you wet them the hens can make a right mess and also like you have said they can go off. I store my feed in metal dustbins with a lid on which keeps the feed dry and prevents mould.
So pleased you and your family are enjoying your chickens - I think chickens are wonderful pets 

[Sassy]

I don't know if I have understood your query re the mash but -

Mash and pellets are made of the same stuff one is just pelleted. Most people prefer the pellets as there is less mess and less waste. If you were to make a paste to feed the chooks they would need to eat it within a short space of time otherwise moulds and nasties can form which would have a detrimental affect on your chooks. I hope this helps!

[Jeanette]

Welcome, your girls dont need food and water at night in the coup as they are asleep.
Mash is the same as pellets just crushed up. If you mix it with water dont leave it for long because it will soon go bad. Hope this helps.

[Flowerpower136]

Mine have dry pellets which are taken in every night (because of rats) and put out again in the moring together with fresh water.  The girls get up with the birdsong (as you do), but I dont They have to wait till 6.30ish for breakfast.  But it doesn't seem to do them any harm.  They can grub about in the compost bins till then.

They also have a scoop of corn in the afternoon (not too much!), but because they don't a single scoop is enough, I bulk the treat up using mash.  Make a dry mix of mash and corn and then add water and stir.  The mix doesn't stay out over night, in fact it only lasts a matter of minutes. 

Its a good way of ensuring that any necessary supplements are gobbled up too, eg limestone flour and codliver oil.  And in winter, you can mix it with warm water.

If I was using wet mesh as a main feed, I would chuck any left overs out at the end of the day, and do fresh in the morning.  I can imagine it would go very nasty very quickly.

I've also started hanging a cabbage up for them, and don't bother taking that in, don't think the rats round here are into greens, so it's safe.