Newbie question.

[Albuquerque Chickens]

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I had my brooder set up inside my coop. When the chicks were old enough to be "let out" into the run I moved all food and water to the run. I leave the door from the coop to the run open at all times, so they are free to come and go as they please. After about 5 weeks of age, they usually sleep through the night and don't need food or water after dark. I personally feel it's better for the birds health to keep food out of the coop. Water causes moisture in the winter, food attracts rodents to try to get inside, I just don't like the idea. Again, the door is open and food and water is just outside. . . . .
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I do the same thing. So far no problems.

 

[junebuggena]

There is no point in having feed inside the coop. Once they go in at night to sleep, they don't get up for a snack or drink. Once it's dark, you are only feeding the rodents, not your flock. Also not a good idea if you have bears in your region.

 

[Albuquerque Chickens]

No bears, no rodents.

 

[Dani & Mikey]

Oh yes! @kwebb if you do opt for food and water in the coop do it in such a way that it doesn't make a mess. I forgot to mention that. I have a hanging bucket waterer with horizontal nipples. No spilled water, freeze resistant, and no open top to add moisture to the coop (plus I can swap it out easily from the outside via a "poop door" for cleaning).

For food I use a hanging PVC hopper with a ferret corner litter pan as a feed dispenser. It's AMAZING. They can't perch on it (so they can't poop in it), and they can't fling food out of it. It holds enough food for 7-10 days and it can be filled easily from the outside without needing to get in the coop.

There are definitely ways to give yourself a headache - do yourself a favor and avoid them

I would love to see a picture of the feeder you described!

 

[Dani & Mikey]

annnd, reading a little further, I did!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

After the chicks get old enough to go into the coop for the night. Do you leave food and water in the coop all night with them, or do you just close them up and they can get their water and food in the morning/all day when they are out in the run?

It's a matter of personal preference. I feed in & out. You will develop a system that suits your needs.

 

[HoopyFrood]

There is no point in having feed inside the coop. Once they go in at night to sleep, they don't get up for a snack or drink. Once it's dark, you are only feeding the rodents, not your flock. Also not a good idea if you have bears in your region.

It depends on the system, right?. We keep food and water in the coop for many reasons. If we are a little late opening the coop door in the morning, the girls have food and water available as soon as they wake up. Another is in bad weather I don't have to move food and water into the coop if they're hunkering down in there.

I DO have bears and rodents around me; that is exactly why no food is allowed to be in the run after dark. Food enclosed in the coop inhabited by chickens is far less likely to attract pests than food just sitting in the run, IMO.

 

[junebuggena]

I've had bears try to break into the coop in the middle of the day to get to chicken feed. No way would I chance it. I know someone who lost a whole flock of Silkies to a bear that wanted the feed left in the coop.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Food and water in raised coop. No Lions, Tigers , Bears, or rodents, for 22 months. .
But coop is only 10 yards from back of house that has 2 motion security lights on back side. GC

 

[Peppercorngal]

No bears, no rodents.

You are the lucky one if you have no bears!