in the coop or in the run?

[OuelletteFlock]

Should the food and water go inside the coop or the run?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

i keep food inside water outside

 

[Criticalicious]

It should all be kept in the run, because if it attracts mice or rats, you don't want them getting inside the coop and attacking the chickens while they sleep. I highly recommend the ratproof-feeder. It's a treadle style metal feeder that prevents vermin from eating the food. Store the feed bags in metal trash cans propped on blocks to prevent vermin from getting into it and to keep the metal from rusting if it sits on damp ground.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

It should all be kept in the run, because if it attracts mice or rats, you don't want them getting inside the coop and attacking the chickens while they sleep. I highly recommend the ratproof-feeder. It's a treadle style metal feeder that prevents vermin from eating the food. Store the feed bags in metal trash cans propped on blocks to prevent vermin from getting into it and to keep the metal from rusting if it sits on damp ground.

leaving it out will attrack worse things like coons and opossums my coops get closed every night so mice cant get it

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Water inside can cause humidity or worse, wet bedding if spilled.
I use bulk feeders inside and the buildings are mostly mouse proof. Definitely no rats or weasels can get in.
There is also the option of taking all food in at dusk and returning it in the morning.

 

[Criticalicious]

My coop and run are surrounded by electric fence. Ground predators don't come near the run and the food is kept in a metal box. But I realize that not everyone has this setup.

 

[Acre4Me]

Generally water outside, to keep humidity lower. However, in the winter we have to put it in the coop bc our outlets are in the coop, and it gets very cold in the winter, so we have to deal with that. Bc we have lots of upper ventilation, it is not raising the humidity inside the coop. Otherwise water outside.

feed: outside,under the covered portion of the run. We take it in at night. Feed is stored in metal cans. The only exception is when we get an intense cold snap. During those we supply feed 24/7 in the coop, by the window so the birds can eat as much as they need to help keep warm. We have gotten down to -18F (not including windchill), in the last 2 winters.

what is your location and climate? That will help others respond accordingly.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It should go where it makes sense in your set up and climate. If your coop is small, neither one should be inside. I have my feeder inside to keep the feed dry, and my waterer outside, to keep the coop dry.

 

[guyvstewart]

I keep water in the coop and both food and water in the run.