New wanna be backyard chicken lady !

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punkiss

punkiss

In the Brooder
Jan 23, 2016
18
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I've just started my coop. This forum has really helped. I won't get my chickens until the coop is done. One thing I haven't been able to make clear. After the chicks get older and are free to roam the yard. Do I need to keep food and water in the coop ? Or can it all be outside the coop ? Thank you all so much. Tammy
 
Alright Tammy,
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great to have you joining the BYC flock
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The feed can be in side or out side the coop just depends on the size of your coop but the chickens should always have access to water if the temps are high or low
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Hi Tammy and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us. Good luck with your coop build. I let my chickens out in the garden during daylight hours, and they have neither food nor water in the coop. I'd say its essential that one ensures that the coop is opened in a timely fashion every day, without fail. I should point out that i live on the equator, so daylight hours do not fluctuate and hence the lack of need for either food or water to be available. Where daylight hours are longer during some times of the year, then it would be good to have water available.


All the best
CT
 
Hello and Welcome!

I have free ranged my birds in the past, we struggled with coons, and live near a wooded area with fox and coyotes, so would often wait until a bit later in the morning to let them out. Because of this, inclement weather and night time free loaders I have a tendency to keep my feed and water in the coop.
 
Hi! I always leave the food in the coop, otherwise my other animals & the birds get it; if they want some they just go back inside. Also, it seems like unneeded work carrying the food back & forth. When my birds are out they love drinking from my water gardens. I like to keep things as simple as possible.
 
Thanks! I've had backyard chickens for 25 years. Right now I have 11 hens of various breeds including Americanas, Speckled Sussex, some white layers rescued by the Humane Society, a Buff Orphington & a sex-link. The last 2 are in the house now as I could hear them gurgle when they breathed when I went out to "tuck them in" for the night. They were already roosting & quiet, so evenings are a good time to be able to catch this kind of thing.) I found your site while investigating possible treatment. I just got a new bantam rooster (They don't tear up the hens, are quieter, & eat less, and they keep a watchful eye for danger) He seems fine but I wonder if he brought a virus or bacteria in? All I have here right now is some caged-bird erythromycin & electrolyte powdered mixture for the water. I guess I will use it. The 2 hens are at least 6 years old, maybe it's just their time but for all the eggs & enjoyment the've given me I will do my best for them.
 
I think folks tend to be divided either food/water in coop or outside. If outside you may find you have many freeloaders at the buffet line, wild birds - you don't want to encourage to mingle with your flock, squirrels, etc. If inside they can return for food and water unless they are out and away free ranging.
 
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As you can see from the above, there's no right or wrong...you just have to go with what works best for you. For my girls, they always have water inside their coop and outside. The food is only outside in their covered run.

Have fun with your new flock and if you have questions, just ask...there are a lot of helpful members here to assist you.
 

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