We are planning on putting the water and food inside the coop and leaving the door open to the surrounding run for our chickens. Will they go into to coop for water when they are thirsty or do I need a second waterer & feeder in the run area?? Thanks!
I've keep my water and food inside the coop. I used to have to keep water and food outside because my coop was small. But now, I've got a nice big coop, and everything is inside. I am so glad.......no more food getting wet and stinky! Now, my chickens do free range alot, and since summer has been so hot, I put a pan of water outside for them in a shady spot for them as well. But I dump that at night because I am NOT going to water some raccoon or a fox or whatever!
I keep dishpans of water out all over the place in the heat down here. I figure I'd rather water the predators outside somewhere that have them break into the run/coop for it! Food stays in the coop with another waterer.
I put food inside the coop (always available) with a 1 gallon waterer (so they eat ad drink easily) and a 3 gallon waterer outside for our 5 lovely 14 week old pullets. We do have a roofed run/hen-house that protects everything outdoors but I prefer to keep food in one place. They do use both waterers--but the one outdoors is used most as thats where they spend most if their time. Chickens only get a small amount of water each time they drink which is why they dip their beaks frequently all day. Of course it depends on the size of the coop. I still vote for indoors AND outdoors to be sure they get lots of water and stay healthy.
i put an 1 gallon water inside and out. my chicken food are inside full will pullet food, in the run i throw out horse n scratch [treats] and put table treat in feeder out side in the run in the afternoon
Thanks for the responses! I think I will do an extra waterer outside in the run and one food & waterer in the coop. :
My girls free range so I have water and food in the coop and a few bowls of water where they like to hang out during the day.
