Question re food and drink in an Eglu?

[Mrshumptydumpty]

Hi all

We are picking up our ex commercial hens next week (3). They are the first hens we will have kept. I have purchased a second hand Eglu and 3 metre run, and the hens will have free range of our large garden for some or most of each day as well.

What I am a bit confused about, is don't the hens need food and drink inside the eglu as wll as in the run? In the winter they will be inside longer than they will be outside with the short days and I am a bit worried about them not having access to water particularly.

Am I being daft or missing the point?

Only ever had food/water in the run. If we're particularly worried about a fox then we will close the door to the Eglu overnight and re-open it first thing, otherwise we leave it open and chickens will get up and go into the run in the morning when they're ready.

I've never known the answer to this, I'm ashamed to say after keeping them for several years.

Mine have been in a large shed with an attached run for most of that time though, so they had access to their food and water all the time.

However in an eglu, there isn't much room so you probably ought to be closing the door in the winter to protect from draughts - and that means going to let them out quite early in the morning so they can have a drink and brek.

Tbh mine are now in a Forsham ark (the traditional type with a run underneath, sort of toblerone shaped) and they are always up and in the run before it's light in the mornings, I presume they either don't really like their perch area or else they are thirsty/hungry.

I don't know if there is any room for food and water in an eglu though.

Hmm.

Mine are in an eglu cube. I have never put food or water in the cube with them overnight, so, yes in the winter they are without it for quite a while, but they seem fine!