Feed/Water inside coop or in the run

[langton]

Should the food and water be hung inside the actual coop, or outside in the run? The run will be covered. There isn't a ton of room in the coop (about 3 sq. ft. per bird right now, though I'm expecting to end up with a rooster or two, which will bring the space back in line with the 4 sq. ft. per bird recommendation). We won a 5 gallon waterer as a doorprize, and it seems huge to me. It seems like if they are outside all day and only sleep in the coop, food/water can be in the run. That would keep the coop cleaner, too. I'm thinking I could put a smaller waterer in the coop so that they will always have access to water -- maybe one of the farmtek nipple things that you plug into a milk carton or plastic pitcher, so that the bedding doesn't get wet. (the run is sand, so no issues with wet bedding out there). Advice?

 

[TipsyDog]

During the summer I keep the food out in the run. Water is available in the run and the coop.

In the winter I keep the food in the coop. Water is still in both the coop and the run, but I have to use a heated water bowl then.

I think it's important that they always have access to water.

 

[gryeyes]

I like to keep a gallon waterer with a poultry nipple on it IN the coop for "just in case" situations. I also feed in the coop (layer feed) but have other feed available in the run, because I have 2 ducks I don't want to get into the layer feed. (I also put out oyster shell, because I KNOW the chickens are eating the grower/finisher feed left for the ducks.)

But the regular waterers are kept out in the run 24/7. (Only get about 4 days of below freezing temps per year around here.)
Those are also poultry nipple types, but there's a kiddie pool for the ducks that everybody drinks out of..... and another poultry waterer for the ducks so they COULD drink clean water if they wanted to do so.

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

I do a water pan in both the coop and run, and the food inside the coop. When it gets hot the chickens hang out inside, and then the water is cool for them to drink when ever they need it.