Water: In the coop vs in the run

[ShenValleyChick]

Hi! I'm very new to being chicken obsessed

and have been reading a lot of books and a lot of posts. My husband is building my coop right now, and I'm going to use the deep litter method. I've read a lot of conflicting information about whether to keep a waterer in the coop or not. I've read that it can be really unhealthy for chickens to go without water for an extended period of time, but a lot of people on here have commented about not keeping water in the coop to keep moisture levels down and keep spills from happening. Can I get some specific input on this? I don't want to deprive my ladies, but if it's not a health risk.. it would seem to be easier to leave the water outside...

Thanks!

 

[Gallusfarm]

Good question.

I do not keep water in the coop. The main reason is it just gets so dirty. So they are locked up all night without water. They are sleeping, so they do not eat or drink. In the morning I let them out early, when they are just waking up anyway, so all is well.

Honestly as long as it's not scorching outside, they will be fine without water for a few hours in the a.m. if you feel you want to sleep in

 

[annie3001]

hello and welcome! from CT.

to answer your question: We leave water in the coop and the run. on cold days, the chickens are in the coop alot. spending quality time. so i like knowing when they are thirsty, they can take a drink.

i also have water in a bowl and have it on bricks, as to not get spilled over.

this has worked well for me. good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
x2. I guess that's just how we roll in Connecticut.

I currently have both of my waterers on cookie tin heaters, which, for under five bucks a heater, keeps the water in the plastic waterers LIQUID even in the coldest temps we've had this year in the coop AND in the run!

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm not familiar with Harrisonburg, so don't know the temps there. If you don't get much freezing weather, then not keeping water in the coop should work out fine as long as they are let out of the coop (to have access to water) fairly early. But if you like to sleep late, or you get lots of freezing nights, sometimes it's easier (possibly better) to keep water indoors. Like some of the other posters, I keep it in both places, indoor and out. My outdoor water freezes every night though, so I have to replace it with warm water each morning. My indoor water stays unfrozen.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Check out this thread on cookie tin water heaters, you'll never have to change a frozen waterer again! https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107951
(of course, you will need something to power the lightbulb)

 

[Bandit]

I don't leave water in my coop now, having learned my lesson when they kicked over the full water container in the night and then it froze in all the bedding and I had to chip it out. What a mess! So now I just let them out first thing in the morning and give them water and they have it all day till bed, then I shut them up without water. They are laying great so it seems to work.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I DO keep water in the coop. It's up on a platform and so big they can't spill it over. I clean and fill it once a week and because it's raised it very rarely gets dirty. I like the peace of mind that if they want water in the morning it's there! Plus, if I'm sick (like I have been all week) and don't let them out 'till noon, then no big deal! Also to mention, I have a big coop, so maybe that helps. Eh, either way I don't have to worry about it. If you DON'T have water in the coop then you DO have to worry about it.

 

[sharol]

I keep a heated waterer in the coop set on cement blocks above litter level. It holds a fair amount of water and (when I get it plugged in right - not like I did yesterday) it keeps the water liquid for the girls. I have a light that comes on at 6 and off at 8, so they need water before I get out to them. I give them a dog dish of warm water in the morning in the run, but on days like today when it was snowing, they didn't spend but a millisecond in the run.

So far so good, and I haven't had any serious spills (yet). The waterer is pretty heavy and on a stable base, so I think it will be ok.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

My girls will spend alot of time in their coop during the coldest of days her in New Hampshire so I keep the large waterer and feeder outside in the run but I also keep the small black rubber bowls of water and grain inside for them. If I don't get out to open the coop to the run until after they get off their perch they have access to food and water inside. So If I want to sleep in or the weather is too cold/windy they have easy access no matter the cirumstance.