Water in or out of the coop

[dorioh]

I haven't had chickens for a few years, but am getting back into it and am planning my coop design. I remember before that water always got spilled in the coop and made a mess. Is it necessary for the chickens to have water IN the coop if they are let out into the run everyday.

 

[DobieLover]

I haven't had chickens for a few years, but am getting back into it and am planning my coop design. I remember before that water always got spilled in the coop and made a mess. Is it necessary for the chickens to have water IN the coop if they are let out into the run everyday.

It depends on the style of the waterer you will use and if you are in a climate that will freeze or not.
If your coop and run are totally secure to the point where the chickens come and go as they please, you can keep the water in the run.

 

[dorioh]

Thanks, that makes sense. The chickens will be able to come and go as they please except for nighttime when I will lock them in the coop. I guess the question is can they safely go from dusk till dawn without access to water?

 

[50-45-1]

Kind of depends on where you aee located. In michigan i keep the water inside in winter (i dont have spilage) and outside in the summer. Your chicks when you get them will need fresh clean water at all times.
Congrdulations on hour new adventure!
Any idea on the breed you will be getting?

 

[50-45-1]

C

question is can they safely go from dusk till dawn without access to water?

They will not need water or food overnight as adult chickens they will be hopefully in a dark coop sleeping in roosts.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I leave water inside the coop during the hot summer months.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I keep feed and water in both coops year round. No spilled water here. I have a heated base for the winter. . I also have water outside the coop. I never have a feeder outside the coop. My pens are not songbird proof. I've read on here about songbirds eating feed. GC

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I kept water in the coop until it started freezing. I used to keep food inside and in the run. Now I just keep it outside in the run. It's pretty much critter proof so no worries about that.

 

[jreardon1918]

So far our coop and run have protected the hens. No wild birds have gotten in either. The food and water are only in the run. I would rather they be in the coop as little as possible. So far this has worked well for two years.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They don't need water access in the coop as long as they can access the run all day.

Because I want to keep the coop dry as possible, I have my waterer in the run. That means during periods of snow I have to shovel a path to it, but I would've done that anyhow to give them the option to be outside.