Food/Water in coop or run.... or both?

[manorhousechix]

New chicken mama here! Hoping to get some advice..

I'm about to put my 6-7 wks girls outside in their coop. We have one of those coops that's an enclosed coop "house" with a sheltered run attached. I'm wondering if they need their water source inside the actual coop, or if I should leave it in the run?

Right now we were thinking- a main food and water source in the run, with just a small watering station inside the coop. I figured they're only going to be hanging out in the coop part at night?

Also- if the run is predator-proof, should we leave the pop door open at night, or is it a better idea to close it when they're all in?

Thank you BYC!

 

[Spartan22]

I did evolved on this from coop water and feed to both run & coop to just the containing in the run. In my experience it’s better to have multiple feeds and water all place in the run, less messy wet coop and less bumping and knocking off the feeds and water when they get down from the roost.

I keep my pop door open 24/7 to the run less work also, our chicken can come and go as they want in the morning and on bed time, though am awake early and check on them before work and after work.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you are comfortable the run is truly predator proof there is no reason to close the door at night.

Chickens do not eat or drink at night so you don't need anything in the coop for them after dark. If you decide to lock them up and leave them locked up for a while after they wake up it would be better to have food and water inside. There are always "if's".

Some people feed and/or water only in the coop, some only use the run, for my own reasons I do both. People can come up with reasons to do coop only, some have their reasons for run only, and some have reasons for both. There is no right or wrong answer, do what is most convenient for you as long as they can get to food and water shortly after they are awake.

 

[rum3002576]

I'm lucky I have a small creek going rite thru the middle of my runs. Water all the time unless froze

 

[jreardon1918]

We have the water and to food in the run. When we first moved the chicks to the coop. We did put the water and food in the coop. We locked them in for the first five days. Then we moved the food and wAter out to the run. I think helped train them to know where home is.

 

[bdfive]

I'm lucky I have a small creek going rite thru the middle of my runs. Water all the time unless froze

Lucky you for sure. I'd give a bunch to have water running thru my pens....especially for the swans. Could have fresh water pond in there.