Free range question

[Ridgerunner]

Some people feed or water only in the coop. Some people feed and water only outside the coop. Some do both. We all have our own reasons for what we do. Our set-ups, goals, climates, and such are different so we do different things. I don't look at it as one way is right for everyone and anything different is wrong. There are just different ways of doing things.

I feed and water both in the coop and outside. I usually don't get down there until 9:00 AM to open the pop door and let them out so I want food and water available in the coop while they are waiting. I keep a mixed age flock, almost always have juveniles in there. If I only had one feed or water station the juveniles might be bullied away from the food or water. I want them all being able to eat and drink when they want to.

I have one food and water station in the coop. I typically have 2 food stations and 3 water stations outside. In winter I may be down to one rooster and 6 to 8 hens but in the middle of summer I'll have over 50, most growing to butcher age. My coop is 8' x 12'. I have room for food and water inside. If you have a tiny coop you may not have room. I have over 2,000 square feet outside so plenty of room for multiple feeders and waterers.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We keep a big trash-can size feeder with ports in the coop (hen house, we call it, 8 x 10), so they can eat if we don't get out there right at daylight. We have two five-gallon buckets, also with ports, that get stored in the well house at night and brought out, one into the run and one into their free-range area during the day. No water in the coop to keep humidity down. This is Missouri, humidity is always a problem here. We have several water stations out and about, outside.

I agree with @Ridgerunner. You just have to find what works for you. May take some trial and error. Enjoy the ride!

 

[LyndsayJade]

Some people feed or water only in the coop. Some people feed and water only outside the coop. Some do both. We all have our own reasons for what we do. Our set-ups, goals, climates, and such are different so we do different things. I don't look at it as one way is right for everyone and anything different is wrong. There are just different ways of doing things.

I feed and water both in the coop and outside. I usually don't get down there until 9:00 AM to open the pop door and let them out so I want food and water available in the coop while they are waiting. I keep a mixed age flock, almost always have juveniles in there. If I only had one feed or water station the juveniles might be bullied away from the food or water. I want them all being able to eat and drink when they want to.

I have one food and water station in the coop. I typically have 2 food stations and 3 water stations outside. In winter I may be down to one rooster and 6 to 8 hens but in the middle of summer I'll have over 50, most growing to butcher age. My coop is 8' x 12'. I have room for food and water inside. If you have a tiny coop you may not have room. I have over 2,000 square feet outside so plenty of room for multiple feeders and waterers.

Thank you! This is very helpful information! I have a 10x13 foot enclosure that I use as their coop and they have an acre fenced in to free range.

 

[Altairsky]

My chickens free range, I keep a treadle feeder in the coop. I don't have a run.

 

[Bawkbok]

As you can see by the responses, they are widely varied based on your circumstances and what works for your size flock.

To offer one more - from a city dweller of a small flock:
We feed only in the run. Food and water is put out at first light and removed at dusk. The door run is left open all day so they can come and go freely at will - to the coop to lay or to the run for a quick bite and drink then back out they go.

If you live in country this is not a good strategy as predators can easily go into the run and coop.

With city living, our presence is enough to deter hawks and vultures and the dog chases squirrels and birds away.

 

[Penpal]

When I toss food on the ground it's just enough for them to eat in a couple of minutes. I feed the adult birds whole grain, which is attractive to cardinals and bluejays.