Water/Food in coop?

[sadies chicks]

Good morning!
So I have the girls (and boy) out in the coop officially and am wondering if I need to keep food in the coop along with water if I am closing the coop door at night. Right now, since the kids are still young (10 weeks) I have a small feeder in there for when they wake up in the morning and have to wait for me to drag my butt out to open the door at around 6:30 in the am. I will always keep water in the coop but how long should I keep food in the coop or should I take it away so they are more inclined to head outside. I still have to urge them out but it is only the 3rd day....

thanks!

 

[chicmom]

I have tried both....food inside, and food outside. I like to keep the food inside the coop, and the reason is, I have hanging feeders, but my flock still seems to spill out some layer crumbles onto the ground. When I keep the food outside in the run, the bits that spill get very stinky if they get wet, then I have to scrape a layer of stinky food up.

So, food always stays inside.

Water is always outside, because I don't want any splashing or anything inside......But if you feel you might be too busy sometimes and they may stay locked in all day, then I would keep both inside....

Hope this helps!

 

[kittycooks]

I keep free access to food and water at all times. On a rainy day they might not WANT to come out.

 

[mdbokc]

I always have feed (hanging feeder) and water in the coop. I just use a bucket for water outside, whether in the run and/or in the "yard."
ETA - And they always have fresh outside water too.

 

[Unclebean]

Quote:
X2

 

[sadies chicks]

Ok good, food in the coop it is! thanks everyone, you reassured me I was doing the right thing by keeping food in the coop.

have a great day!

 

[2DogsCoop]

I have a hanging waterer and feeder inside the coop and an automatic waterer in the run. I don't put food in the run because of rain in the summer and I don't want to waste the food.

 

[karlamaria]

I have 2 nipple buckets, one will be in the coop, one will be out side, food always inside, and the kids will be feeding the bugs as they cat h grass hoppers by the gallon jars all summer lol, meal worms, and other bugs for treats.