Where Should I Hang Food & Water?

[Cluckstar]

Hey everyone, my husband and I have been building our first coop this weekend and I've been thinking about where I'm going to put everything. I've seen some people hanging their food and water only in the run or in the coop, or water outside and food inside. I'm interested to see what all of you do and why?

 

[3KillerBs]

If I have a hardened run with a roofed section to put it in I like having food and water in the run -- to keep mess and dampness out of the coop.

 

[Cluckstar]

If I have a hardened run with a roofed section to put it in I like having food and water in the run -- to keep mess and dampness out of the coop.

I was thinking food inside the coop to keep it dry and water outside, but will they be okay without access to water while they're inside for the night?

 

[3KillerBs]

I was thinking food inside the coop to keep it dry and water outside, but will they be okay without access to water while they're inside for the night?

In that hardened run setup I never closed the pop door.

They don't eat or drink while sleeping, but I wouldn't leave them without water if you might not be out opening the door at the crack of dawn without fail.

 

[Cluckstar]

In that hardened run setup I never closed the pop door.

They don't eat or drink while sleeping, but I wouldn't leave them without water if you might not be out opening the door at the crack of dawn without fail.

I'll probably leave the door open continuously while the weather is still warm, but I live in Canada, so I'll have to close it the winter. I could always move it indoors during the winter.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'll probably leave the door open continuously while the weather is still warm, but I live in Canada, so I'll have to close it the winter. I could always move it indoors during the winter.

In your climate you'll need a means of heating the waterer to keep it from freezing anyway.

 

[Cluckstar]

In your climate you'll need a means of heating the waterer to keep it from freezing anyway.

I used to have a lot of fish tanks, I was thinking of using one of my aquarium heaters set to 75'F. That or the feed store down the road sells heated waterers.

 

[aart]

I keep my feed and water inside the coop, because of rain, wild birds, it's just easier for me....
...and powered for water heater in winter.
ETA. Oh, and I use supplemental lighting early in the morning in winter,
they need to be able to eat and drink way before I get up.

I was thinking of using one of my aquarium heaters set to 75'F.

I use one, but keep it at the lowest setting(68°F).
Use a good heater.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

 

[rosemarythyme]

My food is inside to keep it dry/limit pests, water is outside to keep coop dry. I don't ever have such high temps that the chickens must have water before the pop door opens at 7:45 AM.

 

[Alaskan]

In moderate temps I have both feed and water outside.

Temps get cold and I move feed inside... then it gets colder and I move water inside.

I use a deicer, not a heater for the water. Keeping water from freezing is way less money than keeping water warm. Also, warm water will evaporate more into the air and raise humi6levels more.