food water station inside and out???

[onebusymom]

We finished our coop and run. I've built in exterior perch areas and the hens love it. The chicas seem to be very happy. Next step is long term water resource and food as well as sand for the bedding. For now, I'm letting them have at it.

I've a question about food and water stations: If the hens are in the run daily, is it necessary to provide food and water in the coop? Can I just have water inside in the summer and add food if they get shut in during colder months? Or do I need to have access inside and out? I've looked at lots of pictures and it seems that most people (those posted anyway) have access interior and exterior.

We created a covered run, and we don't live where it gets wicked cold (lows in the upper 20s perhaps), so they will be let out daily to the run regardless of the time of year. We have food and water available both in and out right now, just don't know if it's necessary.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Cherterr]

I'm seeing the need for both. I have both hens and younger chicks learning to be on their own who stay in the coop during the day, so have two water-ers (in & out) and one feeder (inside).

 

[chickenbythesea]

we keep food in the coop and water in the run. My chickens are only in the coop at night sleeping so they don't need water in there... we also are very diligent at letting them out at dawn when they wake. We keep the food inside the coop to help eliminate the attraction for predators and pests. So far in two years I've only lost one chicken (the other day) to being egg bound so this set up hasn't bothered them any and they're all very well feathered and happy.

 

[JNB]

You have a very nice run coop set up Well done !!!!
We keep food in the coop and water outside in the run. We only get a few cold freezing spells so when that happens I move the water into the coop an secure it in a corner..when its a very cold stretch.

Keeping the water in the coop can get very messy and add to the smell factor when it gets spilled. Spills also creates bacteria issues and depending on your floor cover material make cleaning more work. Just a couple things I noticed when I used to keep my water containers inside my coop. They get bumped, used as perches etc. The water splashes out and it can be messy. That has been my personal experience.

It is much cleaner and easier in the run. If you lock your birds up at night in the coop shouldnt pose an issue for the birds to go overnite with out water.

Enjoy your new coop and run !!!