Water inside the coop?

[Yardfarm Family]

I'm just about done building my coop and wanted opinions on whether or not to put a the waterer inside the coop or leave it outside in the run. I have very cold winters but would like to encourage my girls to come out anyways. Will they seek out water? Or do I need to supply it inside the coop year round? Thanks

 

[Yardfarm Family]

Also to let you know, their run is completely predator proof so shutting their chicken door wouldn't be necessary.

 

[mickey328]

I'm certainly no expert, but from what I've been reading, I've decided that we'll provide water in the coop, but not food. We'll go with the heate dog bowls to keep it from freezing. Animals (including us can go quite a while without food and have no ill effects, but water is a necessity. Our run will be completely enclosed as well, so we'll leave the door open so they can come and go at will.

 

[Going Quackers]

Well i intend mine to stay in the coop, at the moment, we don't have an attached run(it's planned too in future) I think it'll be easier to keep a heated water container in the coop vs outside but if your chickens have access to the run 24/7 and it's safe too you could probably do either it would likely fall down to a preference.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I keep mine outside. I had a separate waterer in the coop for a while and then realized that no one was drinking it.

I guess it depends on the size and use of your coop. My coop is small as it's a chicken tractor, they use it for egg laying and roosting at night. Most of the time they are in the run.

 

[wingstone]

I keep 3 different waterers outside in the run, and only put them inside if calling for freezing temps, stays alot cleaner with water outside...I do not have electric in either coop, but water very seldom freezes if inside, and when it does, it is not for long.