Do hens need food/water in the coop at night?

[JakesHappyHenHouse]

Does anyone just have feeders and waterers in the run and not in the coop? Got parts of a small coop which we are re-purposing to make a little bigger- 4x6. Will have a large run 12x8 that will be completely predator proof with 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Thinking about building some of the PVC feeders into the run. Do the hens need waterers in the coop at night?
We’re in southern Oregon, if that makes a difference- winter lows mostly in the 30s with a couple of cold snaps. Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens won't be eating or drinking at night. Put the feed and water wherever it makes sense in your set up.

 

[Folly's place]

My coop and run are predator safe and fairly large, and there's food and water in several areas out there. If you like to get up at dawn, or when the coop light comes on at 4am, then having food and water in your run may be fine. If you want your birds up before you are out there, food and water needs to be available to them.
In freezing weather, it's best to have the water not frozen, or you need to be out there refilling the waterers 3x daily with unfrozen water. I like the electric heater bases for the waterers instead.
Mary

 

[LizzzyJo]

As long as you’re letting them out in the morning at a good time, they don’t need food or water in the coop. They don’t eat or drink at night.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We keep the feed in the hen house (coop) so it's secure from varmints and weather. Water is outside in the run. You don't want it causing increasing humidity in very cold weather in the coop because it can cause frostbite to combs and wattles. Like others, we use a heated water base if there is a possibility of freezing. But as @rosemarythyme said, you just need to find what works best for your situation. Often it's a matter of trial and error. Good luck and enjoy your birds!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Will have a large run 12x8 that will be completely predator proof with 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Thinking about building some of the PVC feeders into the run. Do the hens need waterers in the coop at night?

If chickens can see, they should have access to feed and water.
So will the pop door be open all the time? or will you have an auto pop door?
Will you have lights in the coop? How about the run?

Questions so many questions. GC

 

[chickens45]

I leave food and water in the run day and night. Once they are tucked in for the night I don’t think they come back out until light and then can eat when they want. So far I haven’t had any issues with leaving food and water in the coop day and night.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Water usually doesn't attrack rats or other vermin unless you are in an arid climate. Feed does, so get a good treadle feeder if you are just getting started as you will pay for it anyway with wasted and stolen feed. During the winter you will be using a light to get more eggs and if the birds can see they will be off the roost and eating. Hens are egg laying machines and the constraint is the amount of protein they can process so free choice feed is essential. Ditto on meat birds, you want them eating as often as possible.