Where to put the waterer and feeder?

[JackNH]

I have 8 chicks that are all around 6 weeks of age.. I was wondering, now with the coop built and them ready to go outside, where to place the feeder and waterer. Do I place it in the coop or the run, OR both..?! Since I live in New Hampshire, we have hot summer and cold and snowy winters. I was thinking I would leave them in the run during the summer and in the coop during the winter..? Also, do I just put my chicks right in the coop, or is there a process?

Anything helps!!!!

 

[Toothpick]

Hello JackNH,

I put my 6 chicks in the coop about 3 weeks ago. I just put them in the coop one day and that was that. They huddled on the ground for the first couple nights. Then one night they were all inside the nesting box area and every night they started going back. I left them in the coop for about 2 weeks until I got the run fenced in. Once I got the run fenced in it was as if they trained themselves to go back in the coop when it got dark.

So every morning I let them out in the run and every night they are back in the coop on their own and I just lock them in.

I left the food and water in the coop with them while they were permanently in there obviously. Once they pecked all the grass away it began to get all muddy and wet. Now that they have access to the run that's where I put their food and water. Keeping it outside of the coop has kept the coop a way cleaner.

I've learned chickens are quite hearty.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[JackNH]

Thanks Jason!!! This helped A LOT and I will be putting them in the coop next week.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hello JackNH,

I put my 6 chicks in the coop about 3 weeks ago. I just put them in the coop one day and that was that. They huddled on the ground for the first couple nights. Then one night they were all inside the nesting box area and every night they started going back. I left them in the coop for about 2 weeks until I got the run fenced in. Once I got the run fenced in it was as if they trained themselves to go back in the coop when it got dark.

So every morning I let them out in the run and every night they are back in the coop on their own and I just lock them in.

I left the food and water in the coop with them while they were permanently in there obviously. Once they pecked all the grass away it began to get all muddy and wet. Now that they have access to the run that's where I put their food and water. Keeping it outside of the coop has kept the coop a way cleaner.

I've learned chickens are quite hearty.

Cheers,
Jason

Hey Jason. Are they still sleeping in the nest box? If so, you might want to block that area off until they are close to point of lay. Poopy nest boxes from chicks that have become habituated to sleeping there = poopy eggs. If your run is muddy and wet, you might consider putting in a deep composting litter. I aim to keep my run litter about 6" deep by adding: coop bedding, leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, wood chips, and other compostable material as it becomes available. That gives the flock plenty of scratching material, as well as giving them beneficial bacteria and fungi for gut health and immunity boosting, beneficial insects and worms, cuts down on pathogens. By having a composting litte available, you will actually see your feed bill go down. I also do a deep litter method in the coop.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We have feed in the coop, water in the run. That extra moisture from the water during the winter can cause issues, like frostbite, if the coop is small and not well ventilated.

Jason, don't allow them to sleep in the nesting boxes. That will become a habit that is hard to break and it won't be pretty when it comes to laying time. The eggs will be covered in poo. You need to block them off some way. Be sure their roosting bar is higher that the boxes, the chickens will seek the highest point to roost.

Now that the grass is gone, spread grass clipping, hay, straw, leaves, landscape weeds, pine needles and pine shavings in the area. Those materials will mix with the poop and break down to compost.

 

[Toothpick]

Hey Jason. Are they still sleeping in the nest box? If so, you might want to block that area off until they are close to point of lay. Poopy nest boxes from chicks that have become habituated to sleeping there = poopy eggs. If your run is muddy and wet, you might consider putting in a deep composting litter. I aim to keep my run litter about 6" deep by adding: coop bedding, leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, wood chips, and other compostable material as it becomes available. That gives the flock plenty of scratching material, as well as giving them beneficial bacteria and fungi for gut health and immunity boosting, beneficial insects and worms, cuts down on pathogens. By having a composting litte available, you will actually see your feed bill go down. I also do a deep litter method in the coop.

We have feed in the coop, water in the run. That extra moisture from the water during the winter can cause issues, like frostbite, if the coop is small and not well ventilated.

Jason, don't allow them to sleep in the nesting boxes. That will become a habit that is hard to break and it won't be pretty when it comes to laying time. The eggs will be covered in poo. You need to block them off some way. Be sure their roosting bar is higher that the boxes, the chickens will seek the highest point to roost.

Now that the grass is gone, spread grass clipping, hay, straw, leaves, landscape weeds, pine needles and pine shavings in the area. Those materials will mix with the poop and break down to compost.

Thanks for the tips. They are still sleeping in the nest boxes. The coop is rather small and only has one roost bar. I put pine shavings on the ground to help with the mud. It seems to be working just fine. The run itself isn't muddy at all. Plenty of grass.