Really dumb newbie questions

[ellent]

I have 4 chickens, about 7 weeks old, that I am transitioning to their coop. They spent their first night out last night, but I haven't yet let them into the run. I plan to do that in a few days when they have gotten accustomed to the coop.

Here are my questions:

Do I need feeders and waterers both indoors and out? If I put a feeder out in the run, how do I keep the feed from being ruined in wet weather? If I just have the feeder and/or waterer in the coop, will they hang out in the run, and go in to eat/drink as needed?

And what about bad weather? Do I put the birds out no matter what? Do I put them out but leave the chicken door open, and give them the option?

 

[greyhorsewoman]

You can just have your feed and water indoors. They will travel about as needed. I normally open the coop up every morning and let them decide if the weather is too nasty or not, except for REALLY severe weather conditions.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

first, no question is ever a dumb question.

I leave the food and water inside the coop. they will decide when they want to go out into the run. I open the door and let them go in and out as they please. at roost time i go out and shut the door and check on them.

 

[bethandjoeync]

during the hot summer weather, I will put a waterer in the run, because it's particially shaded, and they like to lay around out there. I keep the food indoors and put treats and scratch outdoors so they till up everything in the run.

one feeder should be plenty for 4 chickens though. I wouldn't do more, because you may risk spoilage or rodent problems

and your chickens will figure out if they like bad weather or not. some of my girls like the rain while others would rather hang out in the coop until it clears up and they can hunt for worms in the muddy run. we had some pea sized hail Monday for about 5 or 10 minutes, and I had a few girls outside, and they were fine. they even chased a few pellets that came down. but I was nervous for them and watched them closely.

I would say, if you are comfortable with wet chickens, then leave them to their own decisions on weather

 

[Dogfish]

I have feeders inside and out. Water as well.

 

[SamuelMcF]

You only need feeders inside as long as there is enough for everyone. Mine just go in and out as they get hungry/thirsty and i've never had a problem

 

[captainmoose]

The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

I open there pop door every morning at first light they go in and out as they please. There food is inside the coop they get treats in the run. I do have water in the coop and in the run.

 

[EggBreakfast]

I keep water in the coop and feed and water in the run. I open the pop door first thing and they jump out and get breakfast. When the weather warms up I'll probably leave the pop door open all night so they can let themselves out. (My whole coop and run is wrapped in hardware cloth - it's the Garden Ark.)

I figure they can go overnight with no food access - they're sleeping anyway.

 

[elmo]

I have a waterer inside the coop and one outside, and I move the feeder indoors when I close the chickens in at night, moving it back outdoors in the morning. My thinking is that I'll get more poop inside the coop (that I'll need to clean up) if I leave the feeder indoors.

My runs are roofed so I don't have to worry about the feed getting wet. I have seen little covers that go over the feed container to keep it dry, though. I also put my feeder in the middle of a plastic plant saucer so that any feed that spills out of the trough is easy to clean up and doesn't get mixed with the sand in the run and maybe go mouldy.

Try different approaches and see which one you like best.