Where do you put your food and water

[Heather7]

Hello all,

We are in the process of getting our coop completed, IF the rain ever stops. I was wondering, do you all have food and water inside and outside of the coop? I am not sure if we should put both in the run and the coop or one or the other.

Thank you for any insight!! I just want my girls happy!

 

[countrygirl86]

I think it is really personal preference and how you manage your flock. With my own coop (once I get it finished) I plan on having food and water inside and another waterer outside.

 

[MySweetChickens]

if you put it in the coop i would hang it from the ceiling (for the water) so they don't kick bedding into it

 

[DawnB]

Put the food inside. I learned the hard way...feed in the pen draws in unwanted critters (think possums and such). But we have a water bucket inside and out in the run. Good luck and have fun!

 

[The Lazy L]

My chickens food and water are under the high roof part of their secured run.

They have access to the run 24 x 7.

 

[Heather7]

Thanks for you responses!! I think if we have room we will be putting it on the inside with water access in the run as well. We'll see what the girls like

 

[Heather7]

Do they go out in the snow to eat in drink?

 

[yyz0yyz0]

Do they go out in the snow to eat in drink?

Mine do. They have no water or food in the coop so they have to come out. If the snow is deep enough I'll go out and clear the ramp off, but if not deep I just leave them to it.

I figure that if the food and water is outside the coop then they will spend less time in the coop so the deep litter will last much longer that way. I have a secure run so never close the door to the coop unless the winter weather is really bad over night.

 

[Heather7]

Mine should be pretty secure, but I'm a little worried about leaving it open. I don't know if I would sleep. LOL!

 

[Beckaberry]

We keep our food and water in the run and not in the coop. The girls come out early to eat and drink, but I noticed that when I put the stuff inside with them that they would poo in it (accidentally) and it was too much to clean everyday.

This past winter I did have a rat sneaking in at night to eat their food, but he never came during the day and was actually very clean about his habit so I didn't bother him. I say, live and let live.