Is feed/water needed INSIDE the coop as well as outside in the run?

[farmgirlroots]

We have a very small coop, and I built it to allow for a small supply of food/water to be inside the coop, but the main feeding station is outside in the run. I have been locking the chickens inside the coop at night so they don't have access to the main feeding station then. I'll keep the water in the coop, but I'm wondering if I really even need to have feed in there too? Or is that overkill? I'd like to maximize the space inside the coop since it is small, and take the food out if it isn't really needed over the night hours.

 

[Percheron chick]

If you get up in the morning and open the door to the run first thing, they don't need an extra feeding station in the coop. They don't eat when it's dark. If the weather keeps them from going out to eat, than you do need some food inside. Mine will not venture out in the snow and rain.

 

[JackE]

I like to keep the food inside the coop. Reason being, I don't want to feed and attract the local wild bird population (And the disease and pests that come with them) to the coop. And free food will do just that. Not to mention the local rodents that just love free food as well. I keep a water fount in the coop, and another outside during the warmer months. But no outside feeder, besides, they are out eating bugs, grass and whatever.
Check out the plastic pipe feeders some people have made and use in their coop. What you have is a capped pipe outside the coop, where you can easily fill it. From there it goes down and curves through a wall to the inside of the coop. That saves floor space. See the link.
Jack

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/691899/chicken-feeder-pipe-installed-in-my-coop-have-a-look

 

[mpgo4th]

I leave the only feeder and a 1 gallon waterer in the coop at all times. In the run I only keep water. Mine come and go all day long in and out or the coop. Sometimes they just all go in for a nap, then wake up and go out to do it all over again.

 

[AceOfSpadesJJ]

there are 2 things i found out about haveing food and water in both. 1) haveing food inside can make rats want to go inside to eat it and will chew though the coop and 2) there is a really good thing about chickens you can not ever over feed a chicken they will eat as much as they like till they get full.

 

[nannie]

I keep food and water inside coop.open there door to run first thing in morning. they run in and out all day ,when they decide it is time for bed they get on their roost and I close their door.i give them their treat first thing in morning.most of the time last night leftovers.today was mac and cheese. they get their treat in a bowl in the run.they love me when I scatter bread in their run. have fun with your chickens,