food and water

[jthornton]

Ok. I think I like the idea of indoor the hen house food and out in the run water. There is a lot of wildlife near me and I don't want to invite the hungry and curious nighttime prowlers. Only issue I have with that is heating water in freezing temps. I have an outlet in the hen house, but not outdoors.
I also hate my indoor feeders. They're pvc, chickens make a mess and I can't pour a bag. I have to scoop a half bag using a small container

I just use a heated dog bowl outside for water in the winter. Simple, easy and requires no skill to use or tools to build. I put a hole in the wall and pass the cord inside. In the summer I use a 2 1/2 gallon dog water thingy so I only have to fill it every 3-4 days.

I keep food in the run but don't leave it out at night. I also have food and water inside the coop.

I do have a fancy vertical nipple water bucket in one run with a submersible heater in the winter... but the dog bowl is much simpler.

JT

 

[calboy147]

I'm reading through past posts but wondering what you all are thinking nowadays:
I recently increased the size of my flock from 5 to 12.
I increased the size of the run to > 20' x 12' because I'm no longer allowing them to free range b/c of predators.

The old owner had feeder and waterer in the hen house. Reading that a lot of people leave food & water outside, in the run.

What are the pros and cons of storing food & water in the run vs. the hen house.

here are a few things on my mind
* Keeping food inside keeps it dry , though a portion of my run will eventually get a roof
* Keeping food in the run, will it attract raccoons and other wildlife?
* Keeping food in the run will free up space in the hen house

Raccoons will be much more attracted by your chickens than any grain you leave in the run. As well as most other predators.