food + water , in coop or out, conterversy

[bigoakhunter]

Food and water in the coop. Keeps varmits from wanting to get t it in the run nd encourages them to come inside coop towards dark. We do give treats out in the run during the day.

 

[jrossetti]

What about in a tractor? I'm still building my tractor. My plan was to have water both inside the henhouse and outside in the run, but food only out in the run. I built a pipe feeder, and the plan was to cap it every night when I shut the henhouse door.

It was my understanding that chickens are unlikely to want a late night snack, once they go to bed, they're down for the night... someone correct me if I'm wrong though..

 

[MimiChick]

I have a small coop/run tractor like setup. The coop is really only a roost box (2x4) and the covered run is 4x8 (3 chickens). Since the roost box is raised, I keep thier main feeder and waterer under the roost box for weather protection. But, I also have a small 1 quart nipple waterer and a small wall mounted feeder inside the roost box for any times I can't get out there right away in the morning to let the girls out. It may not be necessary, but I feel better that way. The girls get thier treats in the run and get to free range whenever I'm home.
I think I may have had chipmunks or field mice in the run, getting dropped feed (the feeder is hung about 9" up) and some of the extra scratch and BOSS, but I found an injured chipmunk limping away from the area one day, so I think the girls are taking care of any rodent freeloaders.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Yup If it's dark in the coop they won't eat at night. I have light in the coop, so mine like a snack while they're watching Leno.

Imp

 

[Skamaghetten]

I put my food and water in the covered run due to the lack of space in the coop. Last week I found that a dove had wondered in to the coop to grab a snack. So just watch out for scavangers.

 

[LynneP]

Yep, depends on the season and on your setup. We have a covered run and a lot of predator protection, but just the same I feed more indoors and let them eat it up in the evening to avoid mold and attracting rodents (or worse). Luckily the barn cats are a huge asset when it comes to things with widdle beady eyes.

 

[SilverStar]

I have food and water in both the run and the coop

 

[Marbleheader]

Food and water in the coop. In the summer I'll probably put extra water outside.

 

[MIKE555444]

I keep food and water in the coop also and then try to keep some extra water out in the run.

I rarely end up feeding the birds layer feed that way and treats don't last long in the run so i toss them inside anywhere.

Of course my flock is spoiled LOL

 

[ducks4you]

You wouldn't want to keep food and water for your birds like I do, because in AZ it's much drier and, being subtropical, it's much warmer during the winter, too, than in IL. No matter what, your birds aren't going to want to eat wet crumbles or pellets, so you'll want their food protected from any rain (or snow). I looked up your average temperatures:
MESA, ARIZONA - Average Monthly Temperatures & Climate

Month Avg High Avg Low Precipitation

January 66 F 38 F 0.8 inches
February 70 F 42 F 0.8 inches
March 75 F 47 F 0.9 inches
April 84 F 52 F 0.3 inches
May 94 F 58 F 0.3 inches
June 102 F 68 F 0.1 inches
July 105 F 76 F 0.9 inches
August 104 F 75 F 1.1 inches
September 98 F 68 F 0.9 inches
October 88 F 57 F 0.7 inches
November 75 F 46 F 0.8 inches
December 66 F 40 F 1.1 inches

YOU don't usually get ice, so I would water outside, put in the shade, so the water doesn't get too hot. When it rains, they'll probably drink a little less, and the water will pool in any open bowl, and they'll drink from that, too. Controversy over!

(I just wanted to spell "controversy" for you,

)