The Poultry Keeper

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

Well, with today's progress it looks like we'll be ready for our girls in 2 weeks time! Smile

Just a couple of questions if anybody gets a moment please.

The chooks are going to live in a large run - 90% of the time. I've know scattering corn keeps them amused as they can scratch for it but I mustn't give them too much corn. So, instead of using a feeder, could I scatter layers pellets on the floor of the run? (The base is paved and we'll have a deep layer of wood chips - the risk of rodents getting inside is as low as we can make, but probably not 100% proof).

If I should stick with a feeder, should this be placed inside the coop so they can feed at night, or should it be kept outside and they only eat during the day? The same with water.

Thanks guys!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I used to have a feeder outside in the run ~ under a large umbrella to keep it dry when it rained. I never put food in the house, because I just thought they might spill some and then that would encourage rats to try to get into the house during the day. I used to take the food into my kitchen over night.
With the water I used to leave that out at night, unless a frost was forecast then I'd take that in too.
The girls don't eat or drink at night.
The only ones to be allowed food and drink in their houses were the broodies and their babies ~ to ensure they had a continuous supply of food and water

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

Thanks Summya! The coop will be raised 2 feet off the floor, so I can put the feeder under there - it should stay dry there. That's a good idea taking the food indoors, I will do that. Thanks for clearing that up for me Smile

mojo · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:23 am Post subject:

dont forget with avain flu rules food and water must be protected from overhead pollution as well as from wild birds.....ie. inside

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

As mojo says you may want to take steps to get the run under cover against the eventuality of avian flu. So long as no wild birds can get in the run and it is protected from overhead droppings and rain washing those droppings into the run, it should be fine.

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

All covered with Onduline, complete with bargeboards and 25 x 10mm weldmesh

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

excellent ~ everything should be fine then with the food in the run and taken in at night