Do i feed and water inside coop?

[chickennewb-E]

Do i put feed and water in coop or just assume they go to bed and let out in the morning with food and water in the run?

 

[Mvan42]

As long as there is no lighting inside they will not eat or drink until morning when they come off the roost. I do feed inside (to keep it dry) warmer seasons the water is outside all the time. Cold seasons it is inside to help prevent freezing.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Chickens don't get up in the middle of the night for a snack, or a drink. Leaving food and water outside the hen house preserves space for your birds, and does not encourage rodents, insects, and "bugs" into their sleeping area.

That's the general rule. The specifics of your house and run, in combination with your climate and mangement style, may alter that. For instance, my main run has two houses with multiple feeders and water stations - all outside the houses. OTOH, my grow out pen has water in the "house", but food in the run. And my brooder box has both in the "house", as does my mobile pen I use for starting the see/be seen process with my hatchlings around day 8-10, weather permitting.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I take my food and water in every night because we have rats and raccoons in my neighborhood. So it all goes in the garage and back out in the morning. Depending on what conditions are like where you live bringing it all in might be a good idea but feed in the coop is never a good idea IMHO. Getting rid of rodents is a lot harder than never inviting them in in the first place

 

[Aunt Angus]

I bring my food inside at night. During the day, I have food in the coop for my always broody Silkies. I leave water outside for my always messy ducks. But the others are right: you don't need it in the coop because chickens don't eat at night, but it's up to personal preference.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I feed and water inside because I have ducks and I feel they need water at night so it's really your preference

 

[Aunt Angus]

I feed and water inside because I have ducks and I feel they need water at night so it's really your preference

I can't stand the mess - lol! I just leave the door open now so the ducks can go on and out all night. What do you do to limit mess? I'm ALWAYS looking for ideas.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I feed and water inside because I have ducks and I feel they need water at night so it's really your preference

I have water outside my duck house, but they can stick their necks thru the 1x2 welded wire fencing and get water from the battery box filled by a stock tank float while still protected by the run = its a sort of "middle ground" that likely won't work for most. I wish I could claim I did it deliberately, but it was a happy accident.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have water outside my duck house, but they can stick their necks thru the 1x2 welded wire fencing and get water from the battery box filled by a stock tank float while still protected by the run = its a sort of "middle ground" that likely won't work for most. I wish I could claim I did it deliberately, but it was a happy accident.

That's a very happy accident! You're right - won't work for me, but it's a great idea!

 

[Flockincrazy]

I can't stand the mess - lol! I just leave the door open now so the ducks can go on and out all night. What do you do to limit mess? I'm ALWAYS looking for ideas.

Puppy pad under the water