Where to put the feed

[twinsitterchris]

My birds are just about ready to go into their new A-frame coop. They have a run space below and can also free range. My question is about where to put their food and water. Does it go inside their roosting space where they sleep? Or, does it stay. Outside within the caged area? Thanks for any help

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!

I always secure the food (preferably in a sealed metal can) far away from the coop when my birds aren't actively eating it. I have a thing about attracting rodents (or insects, or pigeons, or opossums or raccoons.) Chickens don't eat when it's dark out.

As for water, depends on your setup and weather. If your floor's wooden or your coop ventilation isn't the greatest, or your coop is small, you may want to consider putting water outside. If it fits inside and the water isn't likely to spill, it's nice to have it inside.

 

[GRB73]

I have a small coop. I keep the food and water in the run during the day. After I close the girls up for the night I empty the water outside the run and store the food in a metal container in our garage.

 

[HillBilly64]

I keep one Grandpa feeder inside the coop (chook tractor) so they can eat as soon as they get up, while they are waiting for me to let them out and they have their water in there. I have another feeder in their freerange run and the door to the coop stays open all day so they have access to water (and so the ones at the bottom of the pecking order can get in an eat without being noticed).