When it comes to raising backyard chickens, there are a lot of questions that come up, especially for first-time chicken owners. One question that often comes up is whether or not to give chickens food before putting them to bed for the night. As someone who has been raising chickens for several years now, I’ve had my fair share of experience with this question.
In this article, I’ll share my insights on this topic and provide a definitive answer to the question: when putting chickens to bed for the night, do you give them food?
Chicken Habits
First, it’s important to understand a bit about chicken behavior. Chickens are diurnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the day and sleep at night. Unlike other animals, chickens don’t have a set time to go to bed – they will naturally start to roost and settle in for the night as it gets darker.
As chicken owners, it’s important to make sure our chickens are safe and secure for the night. This means providing a suitable shelter for them to sleep in, such as a coop or a henhouse. But what about food?
Should we provide our chickens with food before they go to bed?
The answer to this question is: it depends. In general, chickens don’t need food before bed because they’ll be sleeping for several hours, and they won’t be expending any energy during that time. However, there are some situations where it might be necessary to give them food before bed.
For example, if you have young chicks or growing birds, they may need to eat more frequently than adult birds. In this case, you might want to provide them with a small amount of food before bed to ensure they have enough energy to last them through the night. Similarly, if you have a chicken that is sick or underweight, it may be necessary to give them some extra food before bed to help them regain their strength.
Another reason you might want to give your chickens food before bed is if you’re going to be away from your flock for an extended period of time. If you’re going on vacation or leaving town for a few days, you might want to provide your chickens with extra food before you go to ensure they have enough to eat while you’re away.
That being said, there are also some reasons why you might not want to give your chickens food before bed. For one, if you’re dealing with a rat or mouse problem, leaving food out overnight could attract unwanted pests. Additionally, if you’re trying to get your chickens on a feeding schedule, it’s important to establish specific feeding times so they know when to expect their meals.
In general, if you’re not dealing with any specific issues like young or sick birds, it’s probably best to not give your chickens food before bed. Instead, make sure they have access to plenty of food and water during the day, and allow them to roost and rest peacefully at night.
In conclusion, the answer to the question of whether or not to give chickens food before bed is not a simple one. It really depends on your specific situation and the needs of your flock. As a general rule, adult chickens don’t need food before bed, but there are certain situations where it might be necessary or beneficial to provide them with a small amount of food. Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure your chickens are safe, healthy, and happy, whether they’re awake or asleep.
