feeder and waterer questions?

[leight54]

Ok, my 2 chickies are now almost 4 weeks old, I'm working on the coop/run and I'm starting to think about what kind of feeder and waterer to use. Part of the run will be under the raised (3 1/2 feet) hen house (formerly a playhouse), and so somewhat protected from weather. I'm thinking of putting water - hanging? - ONLY in the run, but am not sure about food.

So. My questions are:

1) Should I ONLY put food inside, ONLY outside, or both? The hen house itself is 4' x 6', and tall enough for me to stand in. How much food mess are they likely to make inside?

2) With only 2 hens, should I get the smallest sized feeder and waterer? Seems like with the bigger ones, I might have problems with mold and/or gunk because the food/water would stay in there longer. In the brooder, I have been using the metal ones that screw onto a glass quart jar. I can still use those, but like the idea of hanging the feeder and waterer.

3) Pros and cons of metal vs plastic? Any brands better than others?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[misidawnrn]

I am no expert, but I put my water on the outside in the run and food inside the coop. I don't want the food to get nasty and it is raining here so much I think we need a boat.

 

[Marylizbet]

I don't think it matters that much. If your chickens know the water/food is in the coop, they will go in when they are hungry. Mine do drink more water if it is available to them outside. But I know they find water outside when it is wet. I've seen them sucking it off the fence! I leave my food inside because when it spills they are hungry enough to eat it off the floor, they have to be hungry though! : ) My water stays inside for now, in the summer I think I'll put one in the run to, I don't want them to get dehydrated! Hope that helped some! Mary

 

[Marylizbet]

Oh, and metal vs. plastic. I make my own, and would advise whatever will not get algae in it! So go with non-clear.

 

[Darklingstorm]

I have a hanger feeder & waterer inside the coop, because it gets very hot down here and I don't want the chickens to get dehydrated. I also have feed and water outside because I have ducks and they only get water inside their little hut.