Feed in the the Run? Coop? or both?

[Dschwartz]

I have searched and not found what I am really wanting to know. I am fairly new to all of this and trying to figure it all out. Right now I have my coop with boxes in the back. I have the feed and water near the boxes to avoid it being under my roosts and getting messed up. The nest boxes are blocked off at the moment so that they do not get in the habit of roosting there, but I worry that the feed and water near the nest boxes will cause a problem when they are old enough to start laying. I have a fairly large run with a larger feed and water supply. Should I quit feeding in the coop right now during the summer and make them go outside to eat and drink. It seems that they prefer the one inside, but I think that is just because that is what I used as a brooder area until they got bigger. Any thoughts?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What exactly is it you are worried about with regards to the location of the feeders when they start laying?

 

[Dschwartz]

I just wondered if keeping the feed near the nest boxes will cause them to not use them, or if it really mattered. Is it also better if they get used to feeding outside of the coop unless it is bad weather, or does that really matter either?

 

[hlabelle30]

I have been wondering a similar question - glad you posted! Mine varies slightly in the sense that right now I have a waterer and feeder in the coop as well as an additional pair in the run. I just got my girls 3 days ago, they are 8 week old Barred Rocks, and are a little skiddish to say the least - but we are working on it! We have a large tractor set up, I guess you can describe it that way, but a raised coop with an enclosed run (I have pics in another post).

Right now I have a small feeder/waterer duo in the coop, larger ones in the run, as we expected them to spend most of their time in the run during the day as it is warm out. As they are still quite nervous we find we have to coax out the girls every morning from the coop, then guide them back in at night. I have no issues right now leaving the food/water dishes in the the coop during the day in case the stubborn girls in the coop take a while to head down into the run - I need to know they have access to food and water, but do the food and water dishes need to stay in the coop when they are comfortable and confident enough to roam in and out on their own?

Thanks in advance!

HL