Food and water in coop or run?

[Drivegirl54]

Hey all, My girls are making the jump to the coop tonight!! I've looked through the threads but can't find any info on this, but do I put the feeder and waterer inside the coop or out in the run? Or both?
Thanks!

 

[Drivegirl54]

D'oh... nevermind. I found it. Sorry

 

[gritsar]

That's okay, this seems like a good time to mention something. I used to keep food in the coop (still do) and water in the coop only; thinking they'd go in the coop for a sip of water if they needed it. Last summer I noticed that my chickens combs looked awful dry, but I figured that's just how it was. Then my SO suggested I start keeping some water outside for them too. That's what was wrong with their combs! They were getting dehydrated during the day because they wouldn't go in the coop just to get a drink.
They steal water from the goat and dog's buckets, but needed their own waterer outside as well.
Now they have food and water in the coop 24/7, but also two waterers outside.

 

[OKbirdwatcher]

gritsar,

That's a good idea. We have a second waterer that we're going to add before long. Now if I can just convince DH that it should be outside and not in the coop.

I'll tell him you said so.

 

[gritsar]

Know what I use for my outside waterers? We have a ton of old feeders leftover from the commercial chicken houses. The bases are about 18" wide and 3 inches deep. We removed the bin part and just use the base. The chickens seem to actually prefer them over their standard waterer.