Food and Water in the run VS in the coop?

[Amethyste]

Ya, our weather is such that we have good sun in the summer, but the rest of the year (and at times in the summer it can get stormy!!) we have rain, ice, snow, high winds... fun fun fun!

So just to keep it easier on everyone we keep it inside. At least then I dont have to worry about rain getting in the feed, and anything that spills feed wise the birdies will find when they are scratching around on the bedding. We are in an urban area so we dont have bears here or anything like that...we do have coons, rodents and whatnot, but I have never seen rodents around my coop. No signs at all...and the coop is elevated, so they cant really get in from below, so all in all its a pretty clean setup. We do have coons...but they are more interested in the chickens than their feed and water.

 

[chickenbottom]

my coop has 2 water buckets in it and the run has 2 water buckets also the feed is in the run thats how i roll my run is covered so its easier.

 

[chicksalot]

During the day the food is in the run, & @ nite it is inside (to prevent vermin from coming to feed) . The water has been outside @ all times during 'non freezing' weather. Thats the thing with all this...everyone can 'tweek' to fit your own needs!

 

[farmerlor]

We keep the food inside, keeps critters from hanging around and we have skunks that I would rather NOT hang around if you get my drift. The water is kept OUTSIDE because we have waterfowl in with our chickens and turkeys and they tend to be a little messy. Now with the water outside no more messy coops. YEA!!!

 

[Olive Hill]

In the summer it's outside, in the winter inside because it's too cold outside. I don't like having it in any more than I have to as it's just one more thing to encourage predators to check out the digs (rats, etc).

 

[snowchickens]

We have a nipple type waterer in the coop(found in a magazine)-no mess there..and we also keep the food inthere. I am still using the BALL jar type feeder...because I have not found any that I like. Why would they make a feeder that is open at the top? It makes me feel better knowing they always have access to food and water. I have not had any problems with this arrangement. I also try to lessen feed spills with the "idea" of keeping the rodent population down. Has anyone tried using an aquarium heater to keep the water thawed in the winter? Plug it in, stick it down the top of the jug????