New to poultry - access to water

[Gorsty]

Hi folks

My very first post!

We are shortly to take delivery of 3 or 4 Barnevelder chicks circa 8wks old.
My husband has finished building a porta-run - sleeping quarters & run which can easily be moved around our garden.

Obviously they will be locked in the house for the night to keep them safe - I know they drink a lot of water - feel stupid asking really, but will we need to provide small amount of food/water actually in the house whilst they are confined?

[frias]

Hi Gorsty and welcome to the vine. I don't put water or food in the coop at night as I don't think chickens can see well in the dark so would just knock it over anyway. Once let out of the coop in the morning they only go back in to lay and spend all day outside, putting themselves to bed at dusk. It might be different for youngsters though, I'm sure someone else with more experience will be along soon to say.

[MaureenHall]

no, no food or water in the sleeping or nesting parts but unlimited access to pellets and water during the day. They'll regulate themselves how much food they need, but don't overdo any treats, especially early on in the day

A big welcome to the Vine - I'm in staffs too

[davefromthechipie]

Welcome to the vine .At 8wks of age they should be fine at night without food/drink As a rule i dont put food in the house it will only attact rats You dont want them in there . I dont look lock my doors anymore But if i did with the summer heat "we are ment to be getting this year! id be tempted with somthing like this

Drinker with 6cm stainless steel trough fits to weldmesh - Solway Feeders

[HayleyB]

Just to say welcome to the madvine, my girls have water and food in Chookenham but then it's a stable and means they can eat and drink before I get out of bed

[Gorsty]

Thank you v much for your replies.
Things hv moved on - we have just brought home THREE Barnvelders & they are installed in their new house.
My other half is into electronics and has put in CCTV so I keep an eye on them - eat your heart out Springwatch it's Chicken Watch tonight! For the first 20 mins or so on their own & without their mum they were calling for her but, thankfully, they seem to have settled down now.
No doubt I will be in touch with you again as I have an awful lot to learn.
Bye for now

[Snadger]

Hi Gorsty and welcome to the vine. I also love Barvelders and have six Double Laced Barnvelder hatching eggs under a broody hen at the mo!

I DO have food in my coops but not water. I have a hanging dispenser that takes a full 20Kg sack of layers pellets in one go. It is hung with the base about 5 inches from the coop floor. I've used this method for over a year now and never had any rat problems. I would think if I hung it outdoors I WOULD have rat problems and the feed would get damp!

[frias]

Good point Snadger but I think most of us who just have a few hens, have them at home and bring the food in at night. Well I do anyway.

[HayleyB]

Jeepers it must be HUGE Snadge, never seen one that big before

[Snadger]

Jeepers it must be HUGE Snadge, never seen one that big before

We are on about my FEEDER I pressume? Just a galvanised jobbie I was given. It holds enough pellets to last chooks about a fortnight and saves having to tote food to the lotie each day.

[HayleyB]

We are on about my FEEDER I pressume?

But of course what else do you have in mind?

[MaureenHall]

Hayley - NORTY STEP RIGHT NOW!!!!! Behave yourself Snadger, shouldn't go putting ideas into her head, 'specially as she's got so many already

[HayleyB]

Not the norty step AGAIN

*off to norty step clutching G4s step pillow