The Poultry Keeper

mexihen · Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Mexico

Hi there,

I'm a newbie. I've just read through all your rat threads, great info! As far as I can tell, Rats are the only potential threat to my two young chickens. We had a problem in the fall, but it seems to have diminished at least somewhat.

I have been leaving feed and water out all night for my chickens, as they are still little. Is it safe to pick it up at night, to keep the Rats away? Or do they need access to food 24-7 at this stage. (I have no idea how old they are, only that they are small, and not yet fully fledged)

Thanks!
-Rachael

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

If you get rats, then yes they could be a threat - rats commonly take and kill young birds. Do your two have a safe coop at night that could be locked shut? If so, then you could leave the feed and water in there with them.

It's difficult to advise, as the UK is so much colder and birds of that age would probably still be indoors!

For what it's worth, my current chicks often run out of food and water during the night (usually because they've kicked it all over Rolling Eyes

) and it doesn't seem to do them much harm. I just refill everything when I get up in the morning.

chicklet · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Hampshire

As a very general rule, they should sleep from dusk til dawn and so should not be eating or drinking

CP · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

They shouldn't need water or food at night as it's dark & they are asleep - unless you have artificial lighting.

Rat's can be a big problem especially if you have a large infestation. As Fenn said, they will kill your birds given the chance.

If your birds are locked in a coop at night then it shouldn't be a problem. But watch out for any rat signs as they are able to gnaw through a wooden coop & get in that way.