Learning - where does the feeder go

[Weiden Farm]

I've been looking around here for a while and i can't wait for the summer to come so i can get started on a coop. The site is picked, but it hass to much snow and need to clear some stones (boulders) from it. Anyway, i keep thinking about what i build, number of chickens and layout and so on. I'm planning a 10x10 or so, 6-10 girls, with an outside run of some 12x20 or so - probably mostly covered with plywood given predators in the area. So in my mental design, i have the feeded and water inside the coop. I have seen lots of pictures where the feed and water are in the run. So where do i ideally put it? Does it matter, do people have it outside to allow for room in the coop. I'm worried that the girls will be in the run, and not go inside until nightime and be hungry during the day.

BTW - i love this site.

 

[Qi Chicken]

We have a coop and a covered run and often let them free range. We keep the food inside. In the run I think it would attract predators. We have water inside and out. Good luck, getting your first flock is very exciting!

ps

 

[AZBootsie]

Mine have their layer pellets and water inside, outside they have treats and the big waterer.

 

[AZBootsie]

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

&

to the addiction!

We keep food and water inside and give treats out in the run usually. In the summer we also keep water outside.

 

[Olive Hill]

There is no one "right" placement for the feed or water that will work for everyone. You'll just have to consider the pros and cons of each possible placement and decide from there. Placing the food indoors may help keep wild birds out of it -- which can help with costs and reduce the likelihood of wild to domestic transmission of diseases -- but an enclosed run can do the same, and in some areas it's not of much concern to begin with. Outdoor placement of feeders can pull predators in, if left out 24/7. And if the feeders are of poor design you can also have issues with losing feed to wet weather. On the other hand, indoor placement of the feed can entice other small pests into the coop, increase the likelihood of transmission of disease from them -- specifically here, mice who can leave behind salmonella among other things. Indoor placement may also encourage some lazier birds to stay inside more than you may like which can increase bedding costs, labor requirements for maintenance and cleaning, etc. With the water, some of the same concerns apply to both situations. Specifically for indoor placement another concern with water can be the humidity it adds to the coop, especially in winter if you're in a cold climate. Higher humidity in cold weather can result in frost bite for the birds. On the other hand, indoor placement in the winter in cool but not really COLD areas can mean the water is less likely to freeze without the use of heaters, bulbs, etc. And so on and so forth. Only you can decide what is ideal for your flock and needs.

Personally, both feed and water are kept outdoors year round here. We don't have much issue with wild birds or predators, I considered weather when designing the feeding station and with a large flock that I expect to be outside on a daily basis keeping them outside helps to encourage the birds to get out and about and be active even in inclement weather.

 

[Newbie in Screamer Al]

I was perplexed as to where to feed as well. I feed and water in both the run and coop. My birds still all come out in the daytime with food in the coop. I am not worried about predators because my birds live in Fort Knox,LOL. My outside feeder is waterproof. They have to push the door open to get at it. My girls all go back in the coop at nite on thier own too. I do put the light on at dusk so that may be why.

 

[PhilErvin]

My coop is about 24" off the ground and the feeder is there (under the coop) out of the weather and out of the coop. Their water is in the run as well. We open the run door in the morning and they freerange during the day and put themselves to bed at night. My reasons for NOT having the food and water in the coop are these; I want them to spend as little time as possible in the coop. the more time they are in the coop the more they are going to poo there. If the feeder does attract vermin I would rather they stay out of the coop as well. Same goes for the water. It's in the run and occassionally overflows onto the ground, better to get the ground wet then my coop floor. This all being said I still feel that what works for some may not work for others. My Dad always fed and watered inside his coops and had great success. Good luck and welcome to this addiction.

 

[Chicklette 1]

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[clairabean]

Food/water is kept in the coop. I am worried about all the critters it will attract, plus I would need to lock it up at night anyways due to all the night predators- raccoons, etc. So I just keep it in the coop. The chickens have access to the coop all day anyways.

In the summer they get an extra waterer in the run.