Food/Water in Coop vs. in Run?

[amaranth320]

Which do you prefer -- having the feed/water in the coop itself or in the run? I'm having a hard time deciding which would be best for my set up. I'm building a 4x8 coop and an attached run of the same size for our four hens. (They will have time in a separate chicken tractor most days, as well.) The run won't have a solid roof (just hardware cloth), so if the food is out there, it won't be sheltered from the heavy rains we often get here in south LA. But I'm concerned about leaking water damaging the coop floor and/or pests getting into the coop itself if I put the food/water in there. Thoughts? Advice?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In my shed they are all inside. In my bantam coop the food is always inside, and the water outside during the warm months and inside during freezing weather. I would always keep your food inside or under cover because it will mold if it gets wet, or even too humid, and can cause botulism. Water can be where it's most convenient.

 

[Sara Ranch]

In my Roo Barn, absolutely NO food or water. Those boys need to come out and get it. (Barn = mice = not encouraging THAT population!)

In my coop, water yes. NO food. I don't want rodents to be attracted to the food. I do throw sprinkle some food in the run to supplement/to encourage the free ranging. I do plan to get a different watering system in place that will be permanently outside in several locations.

In the other shelters, which is where the adoptees come into, there may be water and food to help with the adjustment of being rehomed. But only if I know that rodents can't get to it. I wean them off the food and the water in their shelter pretty quickly.

I store the food in the house and take out plastic containers to provide feed. Same with water. Any water dishes/containers/devices are brought in each night.

My thought process is that the coop/shelter is for sleeping only. I don't want to encourage visitors or problems.

ALL of my animals free range for a good part of the day. They all gain weight and grow. I keep a careful eye on that. (When I was a first time chicken/duck mama, I was really concerned about them getting enough to eat on their own.)