We have 22 Silkies. Food and Water are in the Coop only. Years ago we raised Call Ducks
and the Blue Ribbon Gal, that had been into poultry for many years, told us: Water and Food
always in the Coop.
Going in and out of the Coop and in and out of the run in Winter gives them something to do.
Works for us. Aria
I have a very small coop and 5 hens so for space considerations I wanted to keep the food and water outside. But based on your recommendations I may put one water nipple inside and several nipples outside and put the food inside to keep it dry and away from any rodents.
Anyone have a solution to keep nipples (either chicken or your own) from freezing in the winter?
We keep it all in the coop.
We fashioned a chimney on the outside of the coop and that became the feeded, and we have a pipe in the coop that circulates water 24/7 from an underground barrel source, that brings water to the coop and rabbit hutch under the coop. The water system is not movable as it needs to flow down.
They go into the coop whener they need food and drinks.
We also have a Black bear population and don't want to have more food on the outside of the coop, aside from the chickens, which are fenced in
I have the food, grit, and oyster shells in hanging feeders inside the coop and have five fairly large bowls of water situated in different areas of the backyard and run area. In the winter, I use a heated dog bowl of water inside the coop.
My food feeder is fairly large and lasts about a week with the fourteen chickens I currently have. I don't know how much they will eat this winter since I only had six chickens then.
Nothing in my coops except the birds, eggs, shavings, and poop. Anything that goes into their mouth is made available in the run. Gives them a good reason to go outside in the mornings.
We have water inside and outside. Food is inside. Our waterer's are made from PVC pipe with nipples so there's no water mess and within 30 seconds of installing them, they were pecking at the nipples for water. I keep the food inside the coop so I don't attract animals at night. Plus, my "kids" have learned that "Mom" gives the fun snacks out in the yard and they come running for 'em!
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I'm going to be wrapping the pipe. We made a waterer from PVC pipe with nipples. I think winterizing the pipe like I do my regular pipes (sprinkler valves, etc) should be fine. If I have to, I'll build a box type frame around the pipe so the kids don't peck at the winter wrapping.
As far as personal ones... might I suggest layered clothing?!!?!?