Something new for water and food brings a new question.

[Dr.Doorlock]

I've designed a waterer out of PVC pipe which uses a two liter bottle outside the coop with the PVC running through the wall to inside the coop. This works well with the nesting boxes I designed so I can tend to my girls without entering the coup. Their feeder works the same way.

My question is... Once the run is built will they still be happy going back inside the coop to eat and drink? Should I make food and water provisions for the run?

BTW, I should be finished with the coop, dome window, sunroof and all in two weeks. I plan to take a LOT of pictures. For now, you can check out my convertible coop bottom at:
http://mysite.verizon.net/reswuzne/ConvertibleCoup.wmv

 

[AngelzFyre]

I'm sure you'll have a zillion different answers to this one but for myself I do keep the food and water inside the coop. This prevents other animals and birds from thinking they have an "all you can eat" buffet provided and also seems to keep their water fresher.
I tried it out in the run but they all proceeded to scratch up everything they could into both the feed and the water and I had to empty out all the dirt and such and it wasted a lot of feed. The water looked like sludge at the end of the day so I put everything back into the coop like I had it and it's been great ever since.

When I'm cleaning the coop out though I do put the food and water into the run for them and shut them out there. Otherwise they'd be "helping" me and I couldn't get a thing done.

 

[jubylives]

I agree with above. All my feed and water is inside. Well except for summer at which point I leave a waterer or two outside but only for my ease of filling them. If you keep the feed and water inside they will go in to eat and drink.

jeremy

 

[WestKnollAmy]

The feed and water is inside for my 2 large coops. They all free range and come back in for a snack or a drink.

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Hey! I appreciate the replies. As soon as I work out the details, I will be able to raid the nest boxes, provide fresh water and feed my girls without entering the coop or the run. All the devices are removeable for cleaning as well. It's nice to look forward to only disturbing them when I clean their world. I'll share more when a few things get finished.

Thank you,

Dr.D