Water and Feed

alwaysthere4chickens

Crowing
5 Years
Apr 29, 2020
536
2,557
311
Casper, Wyoming
Because I am new to this, I have Some basic questions,

1. Should I put the feed and water in the coop or the run?
2. What containers should I use for the water and feed?

We are looking for any rat- proof/spill proof feeders because our run does have some weak spots.

If you can, add pictures and any advice is greatly accepted.
 
Last edited:
Because I am new to this, I have Some basic questions,

1. Should I put the feed and water in the coop or the run?
2. What containers should I use for the water and feed?

If you can, add pictures and any advice is greatly accepted.
It depends on where you live, what type of coop you have and if your run has a solid roof on it and can keep out vermin. Even what you feed plays a role in the type of feeder you will use.
I like horizontal nipples on a 5 gallon bucket as it keeps the water clean and I can put a heater in it during winter.
15627200947473552472016001932353.png

I also have a heated fount waterer kept at chest height that I keep in the run.
 
It depends on where you live, what type of coop you have and if your run has a solid roof on it and can keep out vermin. Even what you feed plays a role in the type of feeder you will use.
I like horizontal nipples on a 5 gallon bucket as it keeps the water clean and I can put a heater in it during winter.
View attachment 2131433
I also have a heated fount waterer kept at chest height that I keep in the run.
X2 ,
Horizontal Nipple waterer all the way!!
For feeders I made my own. Instructions in my articles section. I keep water and feeders in coop. Also waterer in run.
You can see in this photo waterer and feeders hung under poop board.

E5D82000-51AA-4371-B3F5-1080A6A179AF.jpeg
 
This is when we first finished the small coop, there isn't much room for anything large. And we can't hang anything in It. it is about the size of a dog house on stilts. Our run however, is 10 ft by 12 ft with a roof overhead. But in the winters it can drop down into the negitives.
IMG_6324_41aed88b-f2b1-4cbd-adf1-56db42de7035_1024x1024@2x.JPG
Orpington Lodge Hen House only - the Chicken Coop Company
 
People do it differently depending on their situation. Food outside will attract other animals, get spoiled more easily, and should be removed nightly - but it saves space in the coop. Inside takes up space but makes it harder for food thieves to access. Similar with water. Keeping some inside may also make freezing less likely in the winter but any leaks or dumped waterers means replacing any wet bedding.

There is no perfect answer other than what works best for your setup/flock.

Personally? We do food and water inside because we have the space, plus extra water in the run with ice cubes when its warm. The horizontal nipple waterers above are nice but we've also used the typical models that gradually refill a tray. I do prefer sturdy waterers that can be easily refilled from the top. Here's a photo of one of our partridge rocks checking out the waterer in our most recent coop build. We built the little stand so less bedding would end up in the water.

Whatever you decide is best for your flock should work fine. Good luck!
20200511_023248.jpg
 

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