Should i feed my chickens at night

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Maybe a feeder in the run that holds several days worth of feed?

 

[NatJ]

Will feeding my chickens at night attract predators? I know that they won't eat at night, but sometimes I'm not able to feed them before dark, or have enough time to feed them in the morning before work. But I'm worried that if I feed them at night, it might attract predators such as skunks, possums, and raccoons.

So basically, I want to set food out for them at night if I cant make it home before dark to feed them so that they can eat when they get up in the morning, but I dont want to attract predators by leaving food out at night. What do you guys think?

Just having chickens will attract predators. Adding feed won't change it much. Chickens have a stronger smell than their food does.

Inside a predator-proof pen, it should be fine to keep dry food available 24/7.
(By "dry food" I mean pellets or crumbles: one of those complete feeds where the ingredients have been ground up and stuck back together again.)

If you leave food and water available all the time, it does not much matter what time of day you check and refill the feeder and waterer. The chickens can eat & drink any time they are awake, and you can do the tending when you are able, and that should meet the needs of everyone (them and you.)

And of course you can visit them during daylight, and interact with them, on the days your schedule permits that.

 

[saysfaa]

Will feeding my chickens at night attract predators? I know that they won't eat at night, but sometimes I'm not able to feed them before dark, or have enough time to feed them in the morning before work. But I'm worried that if I feed them at night, it might attract predators such as skunks, possums, and raccoons.

So basically, I want to set food out for them at night if I cant make it home before dark to feed them so that they can eat when they get up in the morning, but I dont want to attract predators by leaving food out at night. What do you guys think?

I do it. I don't think the feed in their dish is any more attractive than the feed in the bag five feet from their dish. Both might be a little more attractive than the feed in the five gallon buckets with gamma lids but not much because the scent is around anyway from being out all day.

I don't think it matters much because nothing but a bear or human or insect can get into this coop.

 

[Chicken lover1980]

I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I do think it’s important to feed animals in a timely manner, so if getting home late is an occasional occurrence, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to give the advice of getting up earlier to solve the problem.

Not dragging anyone down, but also not sugar-coating! Tough love with a dose of reality.

so do i honestly my chooks are my everything, op's problem is a bit weird but I also know the power of words, waking up earlier is something I would also suggest it was just the "why have animals..." part that seems a bit harsh.

 

[Coops Dad]

Some food may attract mice rats, possums and raccoons but the pellets I buy seem to tempt the rats and mice only. I switched to a hanging feeder- looks like a 5 gallon bucket with a rimmed dish of greater diameter attached to the bottom. The food pours into the dish part as the chickens eat, and it's hung on a rope by the handle. Whatever they don't finish in the evening, they get for breakfast. Keeping it about 8"-9" off the ground helps reduce the amount of mice and rats that can get into it.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I don't think anyone is being harsh. Saying "I have animals but I don't have time to feed them" is not something responsible adults say, it's something someone who isn't prepared for the responsibility of having animals says. Perhaps op is younger or something. I remember running out of food for my first dog when I was barely 21. Old lady me would have something to say about that. But that dog lived to be 14 years old and I learned a lot from him. It doesn't mean this person doesn't love their chickens and it doesn't mean they shouldn't have them. It means its time to step up and set the alarm clock. Chickens need to eat in the morning. Trying to make a diurnal animal eat when it normally sleeps is harsh.

 

[Tiffy316]

Look, all I wanted to know was if it would attract predators. I'm sorry you guys couldn't understand a simple question.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Look, all I wanted to know was if it would attract predators. I'm sorry you guys couldn't understand a simple question.

Yes. It will. Rats are nocturnal and they love a chicken food buffet.

 

[NatJ]

Look, all I wanted to know was if it would attract predators. I'm sorry you guys couldn't understand a simple question.

A few of us could
I think we're up to four who say your plan should be fine.

 

[NatJ]

I don't think anyone is being harsh. Saying "I have animals but I don't have time to feed them" is not something responsible adults say, it's something someone who isn't prepared for the responsibility of having animals says.

At risk of sounding harsh in return:

Putting out the food AT A DIFFERENT TIME is one way of being responsible.

The chickens will not care if the food is put out late at night (in the dark) or early in the morning (still in the dark.)

Chickens need to eat in the morning. Trying to make a diurnal animal eat when it normally sleeps is harsh.

Reading comprehension? Let me point out a few bits of the first post:

I know that they won't eat at night... I want to set food out for them at night...so that they can eat when they get up in the morning...

OP is just talking about when to fill the food dish, not about when the chickens will eat that food!