Where feeder should be - pros and cons

[LeslieBT]

Hi everyone! I have read many posts about feeders as I embark on my chick journey (still waiting for their arrival this month!). Planning the coop and run phase of their lives, I am interested in what folks have to say about where the feeder should be — inside the coop or in the run.

While the consensus seems to be in the run (many saying never put food in the coop), I’m curious as to why since — to me — keeping food in the run would seem to attract predators. Thoughts?

This leads me to my second question: if the feeder is best kept in the run, which type of feeder is best to protect against the invasion of little critters? I have read that the feeders that have deep openings prevent feed waste. But can’t rodents jump inside and feast away?

Thank you so much for your feedback - it’s greatly appreciated!

I use a solar powered deer feeder with four feed settings out in the run. It is totally predator and weather proof. The waterer is a 12 gallon nipple waterer from TSC. Our run is secure so we don't use an automatic door either. You have to make your setup work for you and your situation.

 

[Devorah]

In

I use a solar powered deer feeder with four feed settings out in the run. It is totally predator and weather proof. The waterer is a 12 gallon nipple waterer from TSC. Our run is secure so we don't use an automatic door either. You have to make your setup work for you and your situation.

How does that feeder work? I have never heard of it.

 

[Devorah]

At this point, renting chickens and coop, the coop and run are all in one. We remove the food at night also, and have it stored in bags in a galvanized can. Rats, (don't have any, thank God!) can chew threw plastic. And Mr. Racoon can pick locks so, we have the lid secured by bungy cord looped thru the top of the can and the handles. By Fall rental contract will be over, and we can decide to return, keep/add to the ones we have. We already love them gals. they're keepers.

As in pick true locks or other closures??

 

[LeslieBT]

In

How does that feeder work? I have never heard of it.

It is literally a feeder for deer, but we use it in our run with one section of legs removed to make it easier to fill.

 

[aart]

I keep both feed and water in the coop.
Easier for me to top off each every day, especially during nasty weather.
The power for the winter water heater is safer in the coop.
But my coop is large and split for storage where feed is kept in metal cans,
coop portion is 6 sides of 1/2" HC,
and my run is not weather nor small critter proof.
Has worked here for 9 years.

 

[Bishopalready]

As in pick true locks or other closures??

A raccoon can figure out how to get into Fort Knox, it went to Squirrel School.

 

[The Tiny Homestead]

Hi everyone! I have read many posts about feeders as I embark on my chick journey (still waiting for their arrival this month!). Planning the coop and run phase of their lives, I am interested in what folks have to say about where the feeder should be — inside the coop or in the run.

While the consensus seems to be in the run (many saying never put food in the coop), I’m curious as to why since — to me — keeping food in the run would seem to attract predators. Thoughts?

This leads me to my second question: if the feeder is best kept in the run, which type of feeder is best to protect against the invasion of little critters? I have read that the feeders that have deep openings prevent feed waste. But can’t rodents jump inside and feast away?

Thank you so much for your feedback - it’s greatly appreciated!

I keep my food in the run, which in my case is a geodome connected to the coop. The idea is to have both the coop and the run critter/ rodent proof. I don't want food scattered in the coop. When it's really cold out, the birds will still go into the run to eat and drink.That way, the coop stays clean and dry. The feeder hangs from a rope with a caribineer. I take the food in every night. I have plywood poop boards under the roosts. I sprinkle shavings on them. In the morning, I bring the feed out, let the birds into the run, and scrape the poop boards clean, and add new shavings. I haven't needed to clean out the coop in the last year. There are very few poops to pick up from the shavings on the floor.

 

[Devorah]

I keep my food in the run, which in my case is a geodome connected to the coop. The idea is to have both the coop and the run critter/ rodent proof. I don't want food scattered in the coop. When it's really cold out, the birds will still go into the run to eat and drink.That way, the coop stays clean and dry. The feeder hangs from a rope with a caribineer. I take the food in every night. I have plywood poop boards under the roosts. I sprinkle shavings on them. In the morning, I bring the feed out, let the birds into the run, and scrape the poop boards clean, and add new shavings. I haven't needed to clean out the coop in the last year. There are very few poops to pick up from the shavings on the floor.

Thanks very much! What kind of feeder is hanging in the run? If you bring the feeder in every night, does this mean that you also open and close the coop every morning and evening?

 

[Devorah]

A raccoon can figure out how to get into Fort Knox, it went to Squirrel .

A raccoon can figure out how to get into Fort Knox, it went to Squirrel School.

I knew that raccoons are smart, but this info makes me more paranoid than I already am! Perhaps I should get a lock with a key … ugh don’t tell me that they went to pick lock school, too ….

 

[3KillerBs]

Perhaps I should get a lock with a key

That's one option that people actually do use.

My solution is the hasps with carabiners but not just one -- 2 separate latched top and bottom of each door. That not only makes it harder for the coons to figure it out, but holds even a warped door securely against the stops.